KATY, Texas – The family of Kyle Rugg is asking for the public’s help. He was reported missing seven years ago on March 4, 2015 when he was 20 years old.
Judy Rugg wants peace for her son and the person who murdered him to come forward.
“It’s been really hard for all of us,” she said.
The family, along with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Texas EquuSearch and The Texas Rangers, held a press conference at the Katy Police Department on Friday.
On March 3, 2015, Kyle attended a party at a nearby Motel 6 with a friend, officials said. The next day, he went to the Polk County area to fish with friends and never made it home.
“We didn’t know where he was and we didn’t know if there was an accident and he was lost or if he was being held by somebody,” Judy Rugg said.
Police search for man last seen on fishing trip in Lake Livingston area
For years, multiple agencies and Texas EquuSearch looked for Kyle around the state park area of Lake Livingston. In 2020, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office found his remains in a wooded area.
Polk County Sheriff Byron Lyons said they currently have no suspects and plan to re-interview individuals who last saw Kyle alive. Lyons said the amount of time passed since his disappearance makes the case difficult.
“But I can tell you one thing that we can always say and we hear this on television, is that the victim does speak from the dead and so no matter how far or how hard this is, we are going to work this case as hard as we can as if it took place yesterday,” Sheriff Lyons said.
Judy Rugg said her family is keeping her strong but now she’s asking for answers about what happened to her son and why someone wanted to take his life.
“We just want to find peace for Kyle. We’ve said for years that we want to bring Kyle home and now we want to bring him peace and those of you out there that knew him and loved him, and he loved you, we need you to step up now,” she said.
The family is offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 936-327-6810. You may also call Crime Stoppers at 936-327-STOP.