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 #1What is the significance of the small wooden 'cross' key chain found in her black purse, and where were her keys found?
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witness
Lead #2Who were the last people to see Patty on Christmas Day 1996, and what were the exact circumstances of her disappearance?
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clue
Lead #3Why was there a three-county jurisdiction discrepancy (Wilson County disappearance, Bexar County investigation)? What connected the case to Bexar County Sheriff's Office?
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 jewelry including a gold shell ring and diamond heart necklace. Nearly three decades later, the circumstances of her disappearance remain unknown, and the case remains open with the Bexar County Sheriff's Office seeking any information that could lead to answers for her family.
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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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evidence
Lead #4The distinctive jewelry—gold shell ring, diamond heart necklace, and diamond studs—could help identify remains if discovered. Have any matching items been recovered?
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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 Sighting
Patty Inez Brightwell-Vaughan was last seen between 6:30 P.M. and 9:00 P.M. in La Vernia, Wilson County, Texas, wearing a cream-colored blouse and black pants.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:December 25, 1996 at 3:30 PM
Last Updated:June 23, 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 23, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 2103356000
You can remain anonymous