Patty Vaughan, a 32-year-old mother of three, disappeared from her La Vernia, Texas, home on Christmas Day in 1996. She and J.R. Vaughan had been wed for eleven years, but they were divorcing and living apart. J.R. claims that after they argued, Patty stormed out of the house and was never seen again.
Given the volume of blood discovered in the Lavernia, California, home she shared with her three children, they are certain she is most likely dead. Since the Sheriff’s Office thinks he was the last person to see her alive, her estranged husband has been a subject of attention for over thirty years.
In addition to supporting this Bexar County family, retired FBI agent Abel Pena of Project Absentis has been posting material on the non-profit’s website to find out more about Vaughan. There’s no denying that suggestions continue to come in each year.
During a recent recording of the organization’s True Crime Podcast, Sheriff Javier Salazar stated, “As time goes on and some people are growing older, they are coming forward.”
This matter is being handled by Salazar’s office in coordination with the Texas Ranger Cold Matter Unit. The Patty Vaughan podcast was released this week; you may get it by clicking this link.
Please contact the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office at 210-335-6000 if you have any information. This case is being handled by Investigator Ruben Arevalos.