An elderly couple from Texas who had been missing since their Thanksgiving trip were found deceased in New Mexico, as reported by FOX San Antonio and FOX 4 News. Charles "Gary" Lightfoot, 82, and Linda Eppers Lightfoot, 81, were discovered on Tuesday morning near their vehicle in a remote pasture west of Tucumcari, according to Carson County Sheriff Tam Terry. The couple left Panhandle on Friday to return to their Lubbock home but never arrived.
The Silver Alert issued for the Lightfoots underscored the urgency of the situation, given that Charles was dependent on oxygen, which intensely escalated the couple's risk in the event they could not find their way home. The vehicle, a silver 2024 Toyota Camry, was last seen on license plate readers in Groom, Texas, and San Jon, New Mexico, according to officials. Despite the initiation of a multi-agency search involving helicopters and drones, efforts to quickly locate the elderly couple were hindered without the aid of cell phones, as reported by FOX San Antonio.
In a somber statement obtained by FOX 4 News, the Carson County Sheriff’s Office extended their gratitude to the public and the agencies involved in the search and offered condolences to the family and friends of the Lightfoots, following the confirmation of their passing. Initial indications from authorities suggested that the Lightfoots likely succumbed to hypothermia, but further details were not disclosed at the time of the report.
Authorities noted that the couple had been visiting friends for the holiday and embarked on their trip home in the early afternoon. The exact circumstances that led them to become stranded in the rural area remain unclear, but Quay County Sheriff Dennis Garcia informed FOX San Antonio the car was found "high-centered, and the battery was dead," suggesting they may have experienced car trouble during their journey. The local community and law enforcement agencies continue to mourn the tragic loss of the couple.
