The Disappearance of Brandon Lawson

Brandon -

Brandon Lawson, 26-years old, was an oil field worker from San Angelo, Texas. He lived with his common law wife of 10 years, Ladessa Lofton. Brandon had four children, 3 with Ladessa and one from a previous relationship. He worked long hours to provide for his family and, by all accounts would not voluntarily go missing.

Brandon was 5' 9", weighed 230 pounds, had multiple tattoos and a scar on his chin and left knee. He also had one ear pierced. At the time of his disappearance he was wearing a yellow shirt, green camouflage shorts and white 2013 Air Max sneakers.

Disappearance -

On the night of his disappearance, Brandon and Ladessa got into an argument. Brandon left their home in San Angelo, Texas with the intention of driving northeast to his father's residence in Crowley, Texas, an approximately 3 and a half hour drive. Shortly after he left, Ladessa called Brandon to ask him not to go all the way to Crowley. Instead, she suggested he drive around to cool off before coming home or head to his brother Kyle's house, which was only five miles from their house.

It is possible that this persuaded Brandon, because he began driving north on highway 277 towards Abilene rather than East on Highway 67 which would be a direct route to his father's. However, it is also possible that Brandon was taking a slightly longer, backroad route to his dad's for some unspecified reason.

Brandon knew his truck was almost out of gas but still attempted to make it to the 24-hour Stripes convenience store gas station in Bronte, about 30-minutes from his home. Brandon's car was found on the side of highway 277 just 4.5 miles outside of Bronte and one-fourth of a mile from a rest stop. While Brandon was out driving, Ladessa called his brother, concerned about him and the argument they'd had. Kyle offered to come over to check on her and the kids. Kyle arrived at Brandon and Ladessa's house around 12:10am.

Approximately 45-minutes after leaving home, Brandon called Kyle, and told him that his truck ran out of gas on highway 277. Kyle had some difficulty understanding Brandon due to poor signal. However, he was able to make out Brandon saying "I'm 10 minutes up the road. Just hurry up and get here." Kyle then called Ladessa to inform her of the situation. Kyle then suggested that he and his girlfriend, Audrey, stop by Brandon and Ladessa's house to pick up a gas can to deliver to Brandon.

Ladessa placed a gas can on the front porch before taking a shower and going to bed. Ladessa also placed her phone in her car to charge because she didn't have a working indoor charger. Kyle's paycheck hadn't cleared yet so his plan was to take the gas can to Brandon, and get money form him to fill the can. When Kyle and Audrey arrived at Brandon's truck, Brandon was nowhere to be found.

Aftermath -

Around the same time that Kyle and Audrey arrived at Brandon's truck, Deputy Neal from the Coke Country Sheriff's Office also arrived on scene, responding to a 911 call about an abandoned truck blocking to road. The truck's doors were unlocked, the keys were missing along with Brandon's cell phone and wallet. There has been no bank account or cell phone activity since that night.

At the time Kyle, Audrey and Deputy Neal arrived on scene, none of them were aware of a 911 call that Brandon had made 15 minutes prior. The 911 Operator had not obtained Brandon's name or location and the call is believed to have been dismissed once the line went dead. Three days after Brandon disappeared, Ladessa was looking through his phone and found the outgoing 911 call, bringing attention to a now crucial piece of evidence.

Back at the scene, Deputy Neal informed Kyle about the 911 call regarding the vehicle blocking the road. Unaware about Brandon's 911 call, Kyle informed Deputy Neal that Brandon should be returning to his vehicle shortly. Deputy Neal then turned on the truck's hazard lights, locked the doors, and requested a tow truck to retreive it at 8am if it was still there. He left the scene at 1:18am as did Kyle and Audrey. As they left, Audrey texted Brandon at 1:19am to inform him that there was an officer at his truck, unaware that Brandon had called 911 and was likely in danger. At the time, Brandon had a bench warrant out for his arrest and Kyle believed he might be hiding from Deputy Neal for that reason.

At some point, Brandon was able to call Audrey and told her that he was bleeding but the call dropped before he was able to give any more information. Kyle and Audrey then began driving up and down the road looking for Brandon. Kyle called Ladessa multiple times but didn't get an answer. Kyle also attempted to call Brandon's phone. Around 3am, Brandon's phone stopped ringing, either due to loosing battery or being manually shut off.

Around 4:30am, Ladessa retreived her phone from her car and saw the missed calls from Kyle and Brandon. She attempted to call Brandon but it went straight to voicemail. She then called Kyle who updated her on the situation. Kyle decided to head home and continue searching in the morning, leaving the gas can in the bed of Brandon's truck incase he returned. Ladessa then called the Sheriff's Office to ask if they had found Brandon, which they hadn't.

By 7am, Kyle's paycheck had cleared so he retreived the gas can from Brandon's truck, filled it and returned it to the truck. Ladessa subsequently hired a private search plane to comb the area. She also set up the "Help Find Brandon Lawson" Facebook page. Ladessa, Kyle and other loved ones organized several search parties. On August 16, 2013, police conducted an aerial search using infrared cameras. They found nothing of revelances. On August 29, 2013, investigators combed over 2,500 acres around where Brandon's truck was found.

On October 24, 2013, a final search was conducted using cadaver dogs. The dogs found no sign of Brandon but may have been thrown off by the scent of local wild hogs.

The 911 Call -

Brandon sounds out of breath, either because he has been running, is scared, or both. His thick, southern drawl also makes it challenging for some listeners to discern what he is saying. Adding to the difficulty, the signal in the area was poor so the audio cuts in and out. Below is a suggested transcript including popular variations proposed by other listners. The text outside of the parentheses are the words that are most clearly heard.

Operator: 911 Operator

Brandon: Yes, i'm in the middle of a feild... (I/A State Trooper/Staper/ Bikers/State Street) just (pulled/pushed) some guys over... (we're/they're) out her goin' towards Abilene on (both sides/Bronte Side). My truck ran out of gas. There's one car here.. (the guy's/they got/I got) chasing (him/me) into the woods. Please Hurry.

Operator: Ok, now run that by me one more...

Brandon: (There'll be no talking to 'em/And, we're talking to 'em/Tell 'em i'm talking to 'em) I (accidentally/totally) ran into 'em.

Operator: Oh, you ran into 'em? Ok.

(Possible Backgorund Noise)

Brandon: (They shot/Just/That's) the first guy.

Operator: Do you need an ambulance?

Brandon: Yeah. No. I need the cops.

Operator: Ok, is anybody hurt? Hello?... Hello?... Hello?

Here is the 911 call followed by a slowed down version of the same call - https://youtu.be/_FXg-zxS1lE

Another 911 call video - https://youtu.be/dS_AMSyamR4

Popular Theory #1: State Trooper -

When Brandon's car ran out of gas, he attempted to pull over but didn't make it completely into the breakdown lane. Somewhere near his truck, he encountered a situation he was not supposed to witness, something involving a state trooper or someone impersonating a state trooper, pulling over a vehicle with atleast two "guys" in it. An altercation ensued with the guys chasing the trooper into the woods where the trooper shot them before killing Brandon due to him being a witness.

Those who believe an actual officer was involved also believe that the 911 call was edited with parts redacted. Feuling this theory is the fact that the local newspaper was bought by the Sheriff's wife, Melinda, whom wrote articles in the paper that were less than favorable of Brandon's character.

Issues with this thoery: No blood or evidence of murder. No reports of gunshots. No proof of an actual officer being in the area.

Popular Theory #2: Helper -

Brandon encountered an officer or an impersonator who pulled over a vehicle. The situation got out of hand and the officer had to chase the guys into the woods. Brandon quickly pulled over to assist, leaving his car half in the road. Brandon and the officer were killed.

Issues: No evidence of cop in the area, so it had to have been an impersonator. If it was an impersonator, why would they pull over a car with multiple people in it if they had the intention to commit a crime? They would willingly be out numbered. If Brandon and the "officer" were killed how were their bodies disposed of so quickly and in such a neat manner where no evidence was left behind.

Popular Theory #3: Bikers -

Brandon encountered bikers who were taking up "both sides" of the road. Brandon was ran off the road. A road rage incident ensued and Brandon was killed, taken elsewhere and disposed of. Some people claim to hear heavy metal music and engine revving at the end of the 911 call.

Issues: If Bikers attacked Brandon in the 24 minutes between his 911 call and when he spoke with Audrey?

TimeLine -

11:53pm - Brandon Leaves home

12am - Ladessa and Brandon talk on the phone

12:10am - Kyle arrives at Ladessa's

12:34 and 12:36am - Ladessa misses 2 phone calls from Brandon

12:38am - Brandon calls Kyle and tells him that his truck ran out of gas

12:40am - Kyle calls Ladessa to tell her about Brandon running out of gas

12:48am - Ladessa misses a call from Brandon

12:54am - Brandon calls 911

12:58am - Citizen calls 911 about a truck blocking the road

1:10am - Kyle, Audrey and Deputy Neal arrive at Brandon's truck

1:18am - Audrey talks to Brandon, Brandon tells her he's bleeding. Ladess misses multiple calls form Brandon.

3am - Brandon's phone either dies or is manually shut off

Photos -

Author's Note:

For More information or to help the search for Brandon Lawson visit www.missingbrandonlawson.com or www.facebook.com/helpfindbrandonlawson