10/4/2023 UPDATE: Tremendous progress has finally been made on this case. Following the testing of long-neglected evidence, the real suspects in the murder of Father Patrick Ryan have been identified. Thanks to this development and the hard work of the Texas Innocence Project, James Harry Reyos has finally been declared legally innocent, after serving decades in prison and on probation for a crime he never committed. An update episode on these long-awaited developments is forthcoming.
When a brutally murdered John Doe turns out to be a Catholic priest leading a double life, blame falls upon a young man who was in a different state at the time of the murder. A wrongful conviction, mysterious pattern of priestly killings and an anonymous suicide at the confessional paint a twisted picture in this episode of Last Seen Alive.
Sources:
Who Killed Father Ryan? (Austin Chronicle)
The Unholy Mystery of the Murdered Priests (Inside Hook)
Rev. Patrick Ryan: A Case Study of Sexual Abuse and Murder (Crossland Foundation / Leon J. Podles)
Also check out:
Innocence Project of Texas
Know Something? Say something!
If you know anything about the murder of Father Ryan, please contact Odessa Crime Stoppers at 432-333-8477, or submit a tip online at odessacrimestoppers.org.
LAST SEEN ALIVE 
In Reference to the “Unsolved” case of Father Patrick Joseph Ryan, who was brutally murdered in Odessa< TX, on Monday, December 21, 1981: I to this day STILL powerfully assert my Complete Innocence in the murder. The Ryan murder will be have its anniversary this coming December 2020 — 39 years ago Father Ryan was viciously murder in the Sand and Sage Motel, Odessa, Texas. I still believe that the Boise John Doe was involved in the murder. I know in my heart: I DID NOT MURDER FATHER PATRICK RYAN!! I AM TRULY AND ACTUALLY INNOCENT OF HIS MURDER!!!! —James Harry Reyos, Monday, October 05, 2020, Austin, Texas.
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Hi Mr Reyos,
It’s very apparent (to anyone who looks even briefly into the case, I think) that you’re innocent of the crime of which you were accused. I’m so sorry for the pain and suffering you endured because of a flawed investigation and wrongful conviction.
Thank you for stopping by to leave a comment.
Wishing you all the best,
Leah
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Y’all talked about the type of socks Father was wearing. The type was a White Tube Sock, as seen in the Odessa Police investigation photo taken at the crime scene. The sock was not a nylon dress sock — it was a White Tube Sock. I just wanted to mention this fact (from the OPD Investigation Photo) In four days, Wednesday, November 18, 2020, will mark 38 (thirty-eight) years ago that I was arrested in Albuquerque, NM. After the WRONGFUL CONVICTION, I still proclaim my complete and actual innocence in Father Ryan’s murder. That proclamation will stand in perpetuity. –JAMES HARRY REYOS Saturday, November 14, 2020, 04:39 a.m.
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That’s very helpful to know–thank you (I don’t think I’ve seen that photo). We did a little experiment and found that, unlike tube socks, dress socks don’t hold up to much resistance, so this makes a lot of sense.
Thank you again for stopping by to share your insight. We’re certain of your innocence, and I hope you feel that the episode we’ve put together makes that abundantly clear.
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