Remains Found Identified as Missing Katy Man; Reward Offered for Information on His Murder

KATY MAGAZINE NEWS

March 5, 2022

By Natalie Cook Clark

Remains found at Lake Livingston have now been identified as Kyle Rugg, a Katy resident. Rugg went missing seven years ago after a fishing trip. There is an open investigation into his murder. A $25,000 reward is offered for information.

Photo from "Bring Kyle Home" Facebook page.

Remains Found Near Lake Livingston Identified as Kyle Rugg

Remains found near Lake Livingston in 2020 have now, through DNA testing, been identified as belonging to Kyle Rugg. Rugg was 20 at the time he disappeared after a fishing trip.

Kyle Rugg disappeared seven years ago yesterday, March 4, 2015, after a fishing trip with friends.

On March 3, 2015, Kyle attended a party at a Katy motel with his friends. The next day he went Polk County area to fish.

For over a month after his disappearance, authorities and Texas EquuSearch searched the State Park area of Lake Livingston and other nearby fishing areas. No clues in their search were ever found.

His family never gave up in the search. They set up an active Facebook page and raised a reward of $20,000 for any information that brought Kyle home.

7 Years Of Keeping His Name Out There

“For 7 years we’ve been looking and keeping his name out there,” says Judy Rugg, Kyle’s mom.

On January 21, 2020, remains were found in a wooded area near Lake Livingston. Through new DNA testing, authorities were able to positively identify that they belonged to Rugg.

According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO,) the remains indicate that Kyle Rugg was murdered. PCSO and other local law enforcement are actively investigating his death.

The Rugg Family joined the PCSO and other authorities at the Katy Police Department yesterday for a press conference.

“7 years ago we joined a community that we never wanted to or thought we’d be a part of; families of missing loved ones and now, unfortunately we are part of another community; families who have murdered loved ones,” said Judy Rugg.

$25K Reward Offered For Info On Murder

A $25,000 reward is being offered for information on Kyle Rugg’s death. Anyone with information is encouraged to call 936-327-6810 or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 936-327-7867.

Judy Rugg spoke on the importance of people stepping up to help. She said that any little something could be a piece of the puzzle that could help them put together what happened.

Judy spoke on how Kyle was everybody’s friend. She says that his group of friends he was with that day were like family to him and that someone knows what happened.

“You know who you are, and you know that he loved you,” said Judy. “It’s now time to step up and let him rest in peace.”

She hopes that people will step up and that authorities will be able to solve what happened to her son.

“We want to bring him peace,” says Judy Rugg.