After more than 11 years, Brandon Lawson’s family can finally bring him home after authorities released his remains to them. A memorial service will be held for Brandon on August 30 at in Burleson, Texas.
Lawson disappeared in the early morning hours of August 9, 2013, after his car ran out of gas on Highway 277 near Bronte. His remains were found in 2022; they were confirmed to be his through DNA testing completed in 2024.
The Disappearance of Brandon Lawson
On the night of August 8, 2013 Brandon Lawson got into an argument with his longtime girlfriend, Ladessa Lofton. Looking for some time to cool off, he called his father and told him he was coming over. He left in his truck to head off to his father’s house at approximately 11:55 pm.
About 45 minutes later Brandon called his brother, Kyle, stating that he had run out of gas on Highway 277 near Bronte, Texas. After the call Kyle and his girlfriend headed out to bring him a gas can.
Brandon then made a call to 911 at 12:50 am, stating he was stranded. “Yes, I’m in the middle of a field (inaudible) pushed some guys over, right here going toward Abilene, on both sides,” Lawson says, according to a transcript of the 911 call. “My truck ran out of gas, there’s one car here, the guy’s chasing (inaudible) to the woods, please hurry!”
When the 911 operator asked if he needed an ambulance Brandon replied no, he needed police to respond.
A Deputy arrived at Brandon’s truck around 1:10 am, after a 911 call reported Brandon’s F-150 obstructing traffic on U.S. 277 by being over the white line. Kyle and his girlfriend arrived at the same time, but there was no sign of Brandon.
The truck was located on U.S. 227, approximately four miles south of Bronte, Texas. The gas tank was empty, and there was no damage to the vehicle. His keys and cell phone were also missing.
While talking with the responding deputy, Kyle received another call from Brandon, telling him he was “ten minutes up the road,” and that he was bleeding; after that his phone went dead. His cell phone was going in an out during the call, making it hard to understand him.
Kyle, not aware of the 911 call Brandon had made at this point, assumed he may have been hiding due to an outstanding warrant he had, so didn’t mention it to the deputy.
According to reports the Deputy then drove up and down the road to see if he could spot Brandon, but found no signs of him. Kyle and his girlfriend left the gas can in the bed of the truck, so if Brandon came back he would be able to get gas.
Brandon hasn’t been seen or heard from since. His case remains unsolved.
Investigation
There has been no activity on Lawson’s bank accounts or cell phone since the night he disappeared.
An extensive search around the area of where Brandon’s truck was located was done on October 24, 2013, but no signs of Lawson were found.
Investigator’s haven’t found evidence of foul play in Brandon’s disappearance, but his family states it’s uncharacteristic of him to leave without warning. He is classified as an involuntarily missing person. His case remains unsolved.
2022 Update
On February 4, 2022, it was announced that the presumed remains of Lawson had been found.
The Help Find Brandon Lawson facebook page, which is ran by his family, made the announcement and are awaiting DNA testing.
Our main focus throughout this entire ordeal has been to bring Brandon home so that he can finally rest in peace and our family can have the answers we have prayed for. I know that many of you will have questions, but at this time we do not have those answers. We will keep everyone notified of all new developments. I ask that you please, respect our family’s privacy at this time while we wait for results.
2024 Update
A few days ago the Texas Ranger in charge of Brandon’s case called with the news that our family has been waiting for since early 2022. The Laboratory was finally able to confirm that the human remains found in February 2022 ARE in fact those of Brandon Lawson. We can finally after 11 years bring Brandon home and lay him to rest with his family.
OH, I AM SO SORRY ABOUT YOUR LOVED 🩵 ONE, BRANDON. IT LITERALLY BREAKS MY HEART. THIS IS VERY CLOSE TO HOME WITH ME. I HAVE A BEAUTIFUL SISTER THAT HAS BEEN MISSING FOR ALMOST 42 YEARS FROM ALABAMA. I MISS HER DEARLY AND I WILL NEVER GIVE UP THE SEARCH FOR HER UNTIL I HAVE PEACE OF MIND, KNOWING THAT WE HAVE SOME CLOSURE ON HER.
SO SO SORRY FOR YOUR FAMILY’S LOSS, BUT IN A MUCH BETTER PLACE, AND HEAVEN. I PRAY 🙏 THIS GIVES YOU SOME CLOSURE. FINDING HIS BODY WAS YOUR CLOSURE. PRAYERS 🙏 FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
I don’t know if this message will be received by family or law enforcement but I’m curious about something. I heard on one of the podcasts that Brandon had liquidated his IRA. Had that money been spent or did he have it on him the night he disappeared? IF someone knew he had it, he may have been followed with the intentions of burglary and murder in mind. Just a thought.