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.
Start here
Key leads to think about
🔍
evidence
Lead #1Black purse with keys featuring a small wooden cross keychain - distinctive identifying item that may help locate the victim or establish her movements
🔍
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 - may aid in identification if recovered
👁️
witness
Lead #3Who last saw Patty on Christmas Day 1996 and what were the exact circumstances of her disappearance between 6:30-9:00 PM?
Patty Inez Brightwell-Vaughan, a 32-year-old woman, disappeared on Christmas Day 1996 in La Vernia, Texas, last seen between 6:30 and 9:00 PM. She was wearing a cream-colored blouse and black pants, and was carrying a black purse with distinctive keys featuring a small wooden cross keychain. Nearly three decades later, the circumstances of her disappearance remain unclear, and investigators continue seeking information about what happened to her that evening.
Try asking
Claim this imported case
A one-time $10 claim transfers this imported case workspace to your account. You get 10 uploads for this case, 25 daily AI questions for this case, and public tips with files route to you.
10 uploads25 AI questions/day
This does not start a subscription. When the included limits are reached, the Personal plan unlocks more workspace capacity.
More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
💡
clue
Lead #4Why was there a 2.5-hour window for the last sighting rather than a precise time, and what activities was she engaged in during that evening?
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
👁️
1996-12-25
18:30-21:00Last Sighting
Patty Inez Brightwell-Vaughan was last seen between 6:30 PM and 9:00 PM in La Vernia, Texas
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
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 2103356000
You can remain anonymous
Leave a comment
Comments
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