The person at the center of this case
Patty Inez Brightwell-Vaughan
Missing Person · Open
29 years waiting · since 1996
Missing Person: Patty Inez Brightwell-Vaughan
Justice for Patty Inez Brightwell-Vaughan — the trail went cold in 1996, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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evidence
Lead #1Black purse with keys featuring a small wooden cross keychain - distinctive item that may aid identification if recovered
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evidence
Lead #2Jewelry worn at time of disappearance: gold ring with shell design, diamond heart pendant necklace, diamond stud earrings, gold watch, wedding band, and possibly a thumb ring
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clue
Lead #3Why was there a 2.5-hour window for the last sighting rather than a specific time? What activities or locations were known during this period?
Patty Inez Brightwell-Vaughan, a 32-year-old woman, disappeared on Christmas Day 1996 between 6:30 P.M. and 9:00 P.M. in La Vernia, Texas. She was last seen wearing a cream-colored blouse and black pants, carrying a black purse with distinctive keys featuring a wooden cross keychain. Despite nearly three decades of investigation by the Bexar County Sheriff's Office, her whereabouts remain unknown, and anyone with information about her disappearance is urged to come forward.
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
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witness
Lead #4Who were the last people to see Patty on Christmas Day 1996 and what were the circumstances of her disappearance?
Have information about any of these leads?
Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP48. Missing person: Patty Inez Brightwell-Vaughan.
Last known contact: 1996-12-25 in La Vernia, Wilson, TX. Circumstances: Vaughan was last seen between 6:30 P.M.
- 9:00 P.M. Demographics: 32 years, Female, White / Caucasian.
Physical description: 5 ft 4 in, 120 lbs, hair: Brown, eyes: Green. Clothing and accessories: Accessories: a black purse containing keys with a small wooden "cross" key chain.; Clothing: Black pants, a cream colored blouse;; Jewelry: Gold ring with a "shell" design on right hand, necklace with a diamond "heart" pendant, diamond stud earrings, and a gold watch a wedding band, and possibly a thumb ring..
Investigating agency: Bexar County Sheriff's Office | 96-66916.
Timeline of Events
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1996-12-25
18:30-21:00Last Seen
Patty Inez Brightwell-Vaughan was last seen between 6:30 P.M. and 9:00 P.M. in La Vernia, Wilson County, Texas on Christmas Day 1996.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:December 25, 1996 at 3:30 PM
Last Updated:June 18, 2026
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Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 2103356000
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Case Information
Incident:December 25, 1996 at 3:30 PM
Last Updated:June 18, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 2103356000
You can remain anonymous