Overview
- Charles “Gary” Lightfoot, 82, and Linda Lightfoot, 81, were discovered Dec. 2 in Quay County near Tucumcari beside their 2024 Toyota Camry.
- Authorities report no indication of foul play and say exposure is suspected, with final cause of death to be determined by medical examiners.
- The couple disappeared Nov. 27 after leaving Panhandle for Lubbock, triggering a Texas Silver Alert and a coordinated search across Texas and New Mexico.
- Investigators noted camera sightings of their vehicle near Groom, Texas, and Santa Rosa/San Jon, New Mexico, along with a cell-tower ping near Tucumcari.
- Quay County’s sheriff said a rancher found them in a pasture where the car appeared stuck, and an unopened oxygen bottle was located in the vehicle.