**Couple Who Vanished After Thanksgiving Found Dead Near Open Trunk**
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A couple who mysteriously disappeared after a Thanksgiving dinner has been tragically found dead near their vehicle in a rural area of Quay County, New Mexico. The couple, Linda and Gary Lightfoot, had been reported missing when they failed to return home to Lubbock, Texas, after celebrating the holiday with relatives. Their son, Greg Lightfoot, has since shared more details about their final moments together.
Greg was waiting for his elderly parents to return home on the evening of November 27, following their Thanksgiving visit to Panhandle. Concerned when they did not arrive, he contacted their relatives who were with them earlier in the day. He learned that they had left seemingly fine, but the couple never made it back home. With his parents not carrying their phones, Greg advised the relatives to report them missing to the local authorities.
Days later, on December 2, their bodies were discovered in a remote area of Quay County, hours away from their residence. The Quay County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a possible sighting of their vehicle, leading to the tragic discovery. Greg expressed shock and disbelief at the news, mentioning that they are trying to cope with the loss one day at a time.
Greg, who did not accompany his parents to Panhandle due to illness, believes that their usual route back home might have been disrupted by construction, missed turns, or a medical incident. Although his mother had no known major health issues, he suspects she may have experienced a medical episode while driving. Authorities informed Greg that the couple first appeared on a license plate reader in Groom, Texas, before being sighted in New Mexico. A police officer reportedly encountered them in Santa Rosa, N.M., offering assistance with directions towards Lubbock.
Despite extensive searches by law enforcement, Linda and Gary were not located until the rancher’s discovery days later. Greg shared that his parents were found together beside their vehicle, with his mother seemingly passing away before his father. While awaiting the autopsy report, it is presumed that they succumbed to exposure as they were found in freezing conditions.
Gary, a military veteran and former law enforcement officer, along with Linda, who worked in banking, had been married for 62 years. Greg fondly remembers his parents as adventurous and caring individuals who loved travelling and helping others. A GoFundMe has been set up to cover funeral costs, with a memorial service planned in Lubbock.
The tragic loss of the Lightfoot couple serves as a reminder of the uncertainties in life and the importance of cherishing moments spent with loved ones. The community mourns their passing and offers support to their grieving family during this difficult time.