Gary and Linda Lightfoot—Tragedy Ends Thanksgiving Journey
The communities of Lubbock and Panhandle, Texas, are heartbroken following the confirmation that Charles “Gary” Lightfoot, 82, and his wife, Linda Lightfoot, 81, have been found deceased. The beloved elderly couple, who went missing after leaving a Thanksgiving gathering to drive home to Lubbock, were tragically discovered on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, in a rural New Mexico pasture near Tucumcari. This devastating conclusion to a days-long search has cast a pall over the holiday season.
A Fateful Turn: Lost, Alone, and Vulnerable
The couple’s disappearance began after they left friends in Panhandle on Friday afternoon, November 28th, in their silver Toyota Camry. A Silver Alert was quickly issued, fueled by the immediate concern over their vulnerability: neither carried a cellphone, and Gary was dependent on supplemental oxygen. Investigators believe the Lightfoots missed a critical turn, leading them hundreds of miles off-course and into a remote, unforgiving area of New Mexico. Authorities have concluded that the couple, found near their vehicle, likely succumbed to hypothermia. This final, tragic end—dying alone after a simple holiday visit—is almost impossible for their loved ones to bear.
The Kindness of Strangers: A Community Unified in Search
The week the Lightfoots were missing was marked by extraordinary cooperation and compassion. Hundreds of people, including law enforcement from multiple agencies and concerned citizens, dedicated time and resources to the search, tracking their car’s last known sightings in Texas and New Mexico. The Carson County Sheriff’s Office expressed deep gratitude to the public and all agencies involved, stating, “We would also like to offer condolences to the family and friends of the Lightfoots as this is a tragic event.” Though the search did not yield the desired outcome, the collective effort to find Gary and Linda demonstrated the powerful connection this couple held within their community.
Honoring a Lifetime of Love
As their bodies are sent to Albuquerque for autopsies, the family now faces the unimaginable task of memorializing two lives intertwined for decades. Gary and Linda Lightfoot’s love story, spanning years of shared memories and devotion, will be cherished by their children, grandchildren, and friends. The community holds the Lightfoot family in prayer, offering strength as they grieve the sudden, chilling loss of their matriarch and patriarch.