Their sudden disappearance gripped communities across Texas — a story that left neighbors, friends, and strangers holding their breath in hope. But after days of searching, the worst fears were confirmed: Charles “Gary” Lightfoot, 82, and his wife, Linda Eppers Lightfoot, 81, have tragically been found dead.
A Routine Drive Turns Mysterious
On the afternoon of November 27, Gary and Linda left the small town of Panhandle after a Thanksgiving gathering with family. The drive back to Lubbock was familiar and simple — one they had made countless times before. But they never arrived home.
As hours passed with no word from the couple, concern quickly grew. The Carson County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety issued a Silver Alert, signaling that the couple’s disappearance posed a serious risk. What began as a routine drive turned into a multistate search that captured widespread attention.
Following a Trail of Clues
Investigators tracked the couple traveling in a silver 2024 Toyota Camry with Texas plates. License plate readers spotted the vehicle near Groom, Texas, and later near Santa Rosa, New Mexico. Each sighting only deepened the mystery — suggesting movement, but offering no answers about their direction, condition, or intentions.
Continue reading on next page…