Group in Luling to raise awareness of missing Texas state student

LULING, Texas (KXAN) — Supporters and concerned citizens working to locate missing Texas State student Jason Landry rented a booth at the Luling Watermelon Thump this weekend to raise awareness of his disappearance.

Law enforcement officials discovered Landry’s car was wrecked on Salt Flat Road near Luling in December 2020.

The annual Luling Summer Festival usually draws thousands of people to the town of just under 6,000 people.

Felicia Sundgren, a booth organizer, told KXAN that she was “surprised that many people still haven’t heard of Landry’s case.” Some volunteers came from Dallas and Houston for the event. The stand was stocked with “Swedish Fish” candy, one of Landry’s favorites, Sundgren said.

Officials and others searched thousands of acres around the crash site, but Landry remains missing. Personal effects, including his wallet, phone and clothes, were discovered at the crash site.

In January, members of the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office released new evidence related to the case, including a call log, more than an hour of body camera footage from law enforcement at the scene and a FaceTime call recorded with Landry.

In May 2021, Landry’s family announced they were offering $10,000 to anyone with information about what happened to Landry.

Earlier this year, several Facebook groups came together to rent a billboard along US Highway 183 north of Luling.

The billboard includes two photos of Landry, a $10,000 reward offer, and contact information for the Texas Attorney General’s Cold Case and Missing Persons Unit, available for all potential case advice. Landry’s family approved the billboard design, organizers said.