TX TX - Brian Thomas Vargo, 20, Austin, 9 March 1976

[Alleykins]

Another rule out for Brian -added 1/25/24

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

By bringing people, information, forensic science and technology together, NamUs helps resolve cases.

www.namus.gov

View attachment 477900

Thanks, Chaddylex, for the update.
I'm so glad to see investigators are keeping on top of his case. His family's dedication to finding him is heartwarming. I hope they find him.

 

[chaddylex]

Thanks, Chaddylex, for the update.
I'm so glad to see investigators are keeping on top of his case. His family's dedication to finding him is heartwarming. I hope they find him.

You are welcome. From listening to the Vanished Podcast about his disappearance and following his FB page, this case really has me wondering what happened to him. It breaks my heart that his mom passed away this past December not knowing what happened to him.

 

[summergirl1]

This is a good article, except that it doesn't mention his wallet with Driver's License was found in Austin at his and his roommates' apartment. Missing: Brian Vargo | Austin, TX | Uncovered

 

[chaddylex]

Another rule out was added to Brian's NamUs profile on 2/22/24.
He now has 6 rule outs/exclusions

 

[summergirl1]

What happened to Brian Vargo nearly 50 years ago? His niece is still looking for answers.

Brian made the honor roll during his freshman year at UT. Then things went downhill.

www.kut.org

 

[imstilla.grandma]

 

[mlhenn]

MISSING - Brian Thomas Vargo | Solve the Case

Brian was 20 years old in his 2nd year 2nd semester at the University of Texas and said he was going to CO to meet a friend (destination unknown) for spring break March 1976. His car broke down. He went home to Houston to get the title to sell the vehicle. It's unknown if he found the title...

www.solvethecase.org

 

[Sweetluv]

Bumping!

 

[mlhenn]

MISSING - Brian Thomas Vargo | Solve the Case

Brian was 20 years old in his 2nd year 2nd semester at the University of Texas and said he was going to CO to meet a friend (destination unknown) for spring break March 1976. His car broke down. He went home to Houston to get the title to sell the vehicle. It's unknown if he found the title...

www.solvethecase.org

Additional Details:
Brain's mother and sister have given DNA to be matched in Codis . Brian's niece also has DNA on GEDmatch open to law enforcement. An official missing persons case was filed in January 2021 and accepted by AustinPD Cold Cases. His finger prints have been obtained from HoustonPD and are also with his Namus profile.

Case Last Updated:
Sep 06, 2024

Tasks - Can you help?​

Find Kim
Find Mazda VIN
NamUs Entry COMPLETED
Lead Investigator
Family DNA Submission COMPLETED
NCIC Entry COMPLETED
Family Contact COMPLETED
Find two guys that stayed in the Tinnon Ford apartment (roommate 1 recalls)

 

[mlhenn]

Also to add:

MISSING - Brian Thomas Vargo | Solve the Case

Brian was 20 years old in his 2nd year 2nd semester at the University of Texas and said he was going to CO to meet a friend (destination unknown) for spring break March 1976. His car broke down. He went home to Houston to get the title to sell the vehicle. It's unknown if he found the title...

www.solvethecase.org

There is a thorough timeline and a map of interest points included at link above.

 

[blayneyyy25]

Could this be Brian ? location and height match up.

 

[chaddylex]

Could this be Brian ? location and height match up.

I can reach out to Brian's niece to see if she knows if Brian and this Doe have been compared. It looks like she hasn't been on Websleuths since Feb 2024.

@AVargoW

 

[Beekarina]

Could this be Brian?

I want to add a warning the deceased shows a photo. They were hit by a tractor trailer truck and have a recognizable face. Clearly there have been injuries and some alterations as the image is a bit distorted. I really wanted to caution the niece in case she is new to this sort of image, it can be unsettling. I can put the details below and end with the link if it is something she might want to have whomever she works with take a look instead. I can seen some familiarity with Brian. Not sure if he had any ties to Virginia? Clothing mentions a brand from Colorado.

There is also a news article mentioning some sort of plane load of marijuana & other young men arrested nearby the prior evening: https://www.namus.gov/api/CaseSets/NamUs/UnidentifiedPersons/Cases/80448/Documents/16086

NamUs #UP80448
Date Body Found March 23, 1977
Location Found Ashland, Virginia
Estimated Age Range20-25 Years
Estimated Age GroupAdult - Pre 30
Estimated Age Range (Years)20-25
Estimated Year of Death1977
Estimated PMI 5 Minutes
Height 5' 11"(71 inches) , Measured
Weight 143 lbs, Measured

Hair Color Brown
Head Hair Description Sandy brown hair, medium length

Circumstances of Recovery This decedent was struck by a tractor trailer on I-95 in Hanover County.

Clothing
Maverick jeans (30X34) (bark, twig, pine needle fragments found in pockets)Lee jean jacket (flakes of tobacco found in pockets)green Pak-Nit t-shirt size large brown Western-style shirt, Trim-West Rockmount Ranch Wear, Denver Colorado orange jockey shorts white socks with orange stripe

Clothing
Pair of men's brown boots size 10

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

By bringing people, information, forensic science and technology together, NamUs helps resolve cases.

www.namus.gov

 

[chaddylex]

Could this be Brian?

I want to add a warning the deceased shows a photo. They were hit by a tractor trailer truck and have a recognizable face. Clearly there have been injuries and some alterations as the image is a bit distorted. I really wanted to caution the niece in case she is new to this sort of image, it can be unsettling. I can put the details below and end with the link if it is something she might want to have whomever she works with take a look instead. I can seen some familiarity with Brian. Not sure if he had any ties to Virginia? Clothing mentions a brand from Colorado.

There is also a news article mentioning some sort of plane load of marijuana & other young men arrested nearby the prior evening: https://www.namus.gov/api/CaseSets/NamUs/UnidentifiedPersons/Cases/80448/Documents/16086

NamUs #UP80448
Date Body Found March 23, 1977
Location Found Ashland, Virginia
Estimated Age Range20-25 Years
Estimated Age GroupAdult - Pre 30
Estimated Age Range (Years)20-25
Estimated Year of Death1977
Estimated PMI 5 Minutes
Height 5' 11"(71 inches) , Measured
Weight 143 lbs, Measured

Hair Color Brown
Head Hair Description Sandy brown hair, medium length

Circumstances of Recovery This decedent was struck by a tractor trailer on I-95 in Hanover County.

Clothing
Maverick jeans (30X34) (bark, twig, pine needle fragments found in pockets)Lee jean jacket (flakes of tobacco found in pockets)green Pak-Nit t-shirt size large brown Western-style shirt, Trim-West Rockmount Ranch Wear, Denver Colorado orange jockey shorts white socks with orange stripe

Clothing
Pair of men's brown boots size 10

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

By bringing people, information, forensic science and technology together, NamUs helps resolve cases.

www.namus.gov

While I can see the circumstances maybe with Brian quitting school, smoking marijuana, and maybe got caught up in something, I did a side by side of Brian and the Doe and I don't see the resemblance between the two. The height and weight are close though. Brian is listed as having a chipped front tooth, but I don't see anything on NamUs about the Doe's dentals. I also looked on The Doe Network and the Doe isn't listed on there. If you feel you have a possible match, please turn it in.

 

[Sweetluv]

March 9, 1976..thinking of Brian!

 

[chaddylex]

Could this be Brian?

I want to add a warning the deceased shows a photo. They were hit by a tractor trailer truck and have a recognizable face. Clearly there have been injuries and some alterations as the image is a bit distorted. I really wanted to caution the niece in case she is new to this sort of image, it can be unsettling. I can put the details below and end with the link if it is something she might want to have whomever she works with take a look instead. I can seen some familiarity with Brian. Not sure if he had any ties to Virginia? Clothing mentions a brand from Colorado.

There is also a news article mentioning some sort of plane load of marijuana & other young men arrested nearby the prior evening: https://www.namus.gov/api/CaseSets/NamUs/UnidentifiedPersons/Cases/80448/Documents/16086

NamUs #UP80448
Date Body Found March 23, 1977
Location Found Ashland, Virginia
Estimated Age Range20-25 Years
Estimated Age GroupAdult - Pre 30
Estimated Age Range (Years)20-25
Estimated Year of Death1977
Estimated PMI 5 Minutes
Height 5' 11"(71 inches) , Measured
Weight 143 lbs, Measured

Hair Color Brown
Head Hair Description Sandy brown hair, medium length

Circumstances of Recovery This decedent was struck by a tractor trailer on I-95 in Hanover County.

Clothing
Maverick jeans (30X34) (bark, twig, pine needle fragments found in pockets)Lee jean jacket (flakes of tobacco found in pockets)green Pak-Nit t-shirt size large brown Western-style shirt, Trim-West Rockmount Ranch Wear, Denver Colorado orange jockey shorts white socks with orange stripe

Clothing
Pair of men's brown boots size 10

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

By bringing people, information, forensic science and technology together, NamUs helps resolve cases.

www.namus.gov

This Doe was just ruled out as being Brian.

Here is the list of rule outs/exclusions as of July 14, 2025