Austin PD Seek Public's Help Finding Man Missing Since 1976

Austin TX

29 April, 2021

12:51 PM

Description

AUSTIN, TX — Austin police is seeking the public's help in finding a man who has been missing for about 45 years. Brian Thomas Vargo, a former University of Texas student, has been missing since March 9, 1976. He was reported missing to police on Feb. 2, the department's Missing Person's Unit announced Thursday. Vargo, who was 21-years-old at the time, stopped attending school and traveled to Colorado. Officials said Vargo's car had a mechanical breakdown in Colorado and he later traveled to Houston to pick up his car's title. On an unknown day and time, Vargo's mother dropped him off at a bus station in Houston. His family later found out that he never arrived at his apartment located at 1201 Tinnin Ford Road near Lakeshore Boulevard in East Austin. When his family went to check out Vargo's apartment, they found his wallet inside, but no trace of the 21-year-old. Vargo is described as 6 foot tall weighing 150 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes. Using a picture of Vargo from 1976, police have created an image that shows what he might look like now. He would be about 65-years-old today. Brian Thomas Vargo went missing around March 9, 1976 and was last seen by his family in Houston and by roommates at his Austin apartment.(Courtesy of Austin Police Department) Amanda Vargo Wattecamps, Vargo's niece, told reporters in a news conference on Thursday she is trying to find answers as to what happened to the missing man. Wattecamps is the founder of a Facebook page called "Searching for Brian Vargo,"which is dedicated to finding any information that could lead to Vargo's discovery. The page was created around February 3, according to the page's earliest Facebook post. "I am asking the public if they've ever had photos with him or remember him at all because that could help us find out what may have happened to him. We just want answers," Wattecamps said. The Facebook page states Vargo was last seen by his roommates at their apartment in Austin, where he left his room full of his belongings and his wallet. Searching for Brian VargoPosted by Searching for Brian Vargo on Thursday, February 25, 2021 Vargo and his roommates lived at The Castilian in Austin while attending UT Fall 1974-Spring 1975. The page states he attended UT Austin as an engineering major from Fall 1974 until March 9th,1976 (about 11 days before the end of the quarter). Detectives are asking anyone with information or video of this incident, or any information about Brian Vargo to call APD Missing persons at 512-974- 4123.