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Patty Brightwell-Vaughan missing person case profile photo

Patty Brightwell-Vaughan Missing Person Case

Last seen in La Vernia, Texas on Dec 25, 1996

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Victim Details

Dec 12, 2008

Jul 16, 2024

Patty

Brightwell-Vaughan

61

32

64 inches

67 inches

120 lbs

135 lbs

White / Caucasian

Female

Dec 25, 1996

La Vernia

Texas

Wilson County

No

2545

Bexar County Sheriff's Office

San Antonio

Texas

Bexar County

78207

200 North Comal Street, Texas

2103356000

County

Law Enforcement

http://www.bexar.org

96-66916

Bexar County Sheriff's Office

4873

Brown

Green

Green

No

Sep 21, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP48) and 9 other sources
Patty Vaughan, a 32-year-old mother of three, went missing from her home in La Vernia, Texas, on Christmas Day, December 25, 1996. Patty and her husband, Jerry Ray ("J.R.") Vaughan, were going through a trial separation at the time. The couple had an argument that day, after which J.R. claimed Patty stormed out of the house, driving away in her Dodge Caravan. She was never seen again.

The following day, on December 26, 1996, Patty's van was found abandoned with a flat tire on a highway in Bexar County, about five miles from her workplace and 15 miles from her home. Investigators found blood traces inside the van, as well as in her home, indicating foul play. DNA evidence confirmed the blood belonged to Patty, and further testing revealed the presence of another unidentified female's DNA in the van. Despite these findings, Patty’s body has never been recovered.

J.R. became the primary person of interest due to his actions following her disappearance, including filing for divorce the day after Patty went missing and moving back into their home with the children. However, despite suspicions, there has not been enough evidence to charge him or anyone else with a crime. The case remains unsolved, and Patty was declared legally dead in 2005. Her family continues to seek answers, and authorities believe foul play was involved.
Last Seen: Dec 25, 1996

Links to Additional Sources (9)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • 1557DFTX - Patty Inez Brightwell-Vaughan - Doe Network
  • Missing Person / NamUs
  • Family of Patty Vaughan hopes for answers 23 years after she ...
  • Missing in Texas: The Case of Patty Vaughn | Lost Souls of America
  • Patty Inez Brightwell Vaughan - The Charley Project
  • THE DISAPPEARANCE OF PATTY VAUGHAN - YouTube
  • Patty Vaughan- Texas- 1996
  • 27 years since Patty Vaughan last seen...where is the case now?
  • Patty Vaughan | International Missing Persons Wiki - Fandom

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (6)

    Unidentified remains cases whose details are consistent with this person, ranked by how closely they compare. Fields that are unknown in either case are left out of the score.

    78%Possible
    Jane Doe — San Antonio, Texas
    UP2972 • Found Oct 4, 2007
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 85%Est. 13–33 vs 32 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 97%22 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 11 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'6" vs 5'4"–5'7"
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    77%Possible
    Jane Doe — Houston, Texas - unidentified case UP3602
    Jane Doe — Houston, Texas
    UP3602 • Found May 13, 1998
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 28–43 vs 32 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 62%167 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 17 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'4"–5'7"
    Weight 100%129 lb vs 120–135 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Green
    75%Possible
    Jane Doe — Houston, Texas - unidentified case UP6774
    Jane Doe — Houston, Texas
    UP6774 • Found Dec 29, 2009
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 32 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 62%167 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 13 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'4" vs 5'4"–5'7"
    Weight 100%147 lb vs 120–135 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    75%Possible
    Jane Doe — San Antonio, Texas
    UP10143 • Found Mar 23, 2007
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 60%Est. 20–50 vs 32 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 96%23 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 10 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'4" vs 5'4"–5'7"
    Weight 81%95 lb vs 120–135 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    75%Possible
    Jane Doe — Texas
    UP3536 • Found Sep 21, 1999
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 29–34 vs 32 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 55%200 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 3 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'5" vs 5'4"–5'7"
    Weight 100%140 lb vs 120–135 lb
    Hair 60%Black vs Brown
    75%Possible
    Jane Doe — Texas
    UP3640 • Found Jul 26, 1997
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 27–32 vs 32
    Race 100%White
    Location 52%226 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 7 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'5" vs 5'4"–5'7"
    Weight 96%150 lb vs 120–135 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Green

    These comparisons are generated automatically from public NamUs case data and are not confirmed identifications. Only DNA, dental or fingerprint comparison by investigators can confirm an identity. If you believe two cases are connected, contact the agency handling the unidentified case.

    Unidentified photos are blurred because many are post-mortem. Tap a photo to reveal it.

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    Forum Posts (1)

    Patty Brightwell-Vaughan, 32 and mother of three, disappeared from her La Vernia, Texas, home on... ...Read More
    02/22/2023

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