Linda and Gary Lightfoot, a married couple, were traveling back home to Lubbock, Texas, after celebrating Thanksgiving with their family but they were discovered dead
A married couple were found dead after leaving a family Thanksgiving celebration after somehow getting lost during their drive home.
Linda and Gary Lightfoot were reported missing when they failed to return home in Lubbock, Texas. Linda, 81, and 82-year-old Gary had completed the journey from Panhandle, Texas several times, but on this occasion, they reportedly were unable to find their way.
The couple’s bodies were discovered on a ranch five days after leaving the family party in Quay County, New Mexico, by police, who received a report of a possible sighting of the Lightfoots’ vehicle. Barbara Scheller, a relative, said: “They’ve driven the road to Panhandle many times. Somehow they got turned around and lost. Left their cell phone at home.”
Speaking after the discoveries on Tuesday, the Quay County Sheriff’s Office said: “Tragically, both individuals were found deceased at the scene.” Linda and Gary’s autopsy reports — which will include their cause and manner of death — could take around three months to finalise.
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It takes approximately two-and-a-half hours to travel from Panhandle to Quay County. Quay County isn’t, though, on the most direct route from Panhandle to Lubbock, where the pensioners lived. It is thought, in their final moments, Linda and Gary used Route 40 west through Amarillo.
Ms Scheller told PEOPLE the family remembers the couple as “genuine and kind people” who leave behind a “legacy of love and devotion.” Gary, a military veteran, served as an law enforcement officer for the Lamb County Sheriff’s Office, and later as Littlefield Police Chief from 1993 to 2003, according to the family.
The family’s tribute reads: “Gary was not only [a] highly regarded retired law enforcement officer, he was a self taught wood craftsman. He could do just about anything with a scroll saw. He created wooden carved farm animals, crosses and anniversary carving for wedding anniversaries.”
Linda worked in Abilene, Texas, for an oil and gas company and then later in banking. The family continued: “Linda enjoyed giving cards and gifts for Easter, Christmas, birthdays and Valentines. The tribute added Linda had her fireplace “burning year round no matter the temperature outside” and “counted every blessing and every day as fabulous.”
Loved ones also said Linda and Gary attended church and “showed great love to neighbours, friends and family.” The couple is survived by their son, Gregg, Linda’s sister, Barbara, and Barbara’s husband, Waylon, as well as nieces and nephews. The family expressed their gratitude to authorities involved in the search — and emphasised the importance of “being prepared while traveling, even short distances, which may save lives in the future.”
