Olympic gold medalist and Montgomery County native Dominique Dawes has shared a tragic update in the search for her missing father-in-law, Leonard Thompson. On Saturday evening, Dawes confirmed that Thompson has died, sharing a message of gratitude and remembrance following days of public appeals for help locating him.
“We take comfort in knowing that he is now with our Lord and Savior,” Dawes wrote. “Thank you all for the prayers and support during this very difficult time. Our last moment with him was accompanying him at mass and giving him a hug and my husband and I said, ‘Get home safely’… Rest in Peace, Papa T.”
Earlier in the week, Dawes asked the public for help after Thompson was reported missing and a Critically Missing Adult Alert was issued by Virginia State Police. Dawes shared a video on social media urging people to be on the lookout and to widely share the information as authorities worked to locate him.
According to police, Leonard Hugh Thompson was 79 years old, 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighed approximately 160 pounds, and had white hair and blue eyes. He wore glasses and was believed to be disoriented due to a possible health episode.
Authorities said Thompson was last seen Tuesday evening, December 15, around 7:30 p.m. on Elden Street in Herndon, Virginia. His vehicle was later found abandoned in Roanoke. Investigators believed he may have been picked up by a truck and traveled south on Interstate 81, possibly ending up on foot in the Roanoke area, including near Troutville and Salem.
On Friday, Dawes expanded the search area and again urged the public to share information, citing serious concerns for Thompson’s health and safety and asking anyone who might have seen him to contact authorities immediately.
Virginia State Police had said Thompson’s disappearance posed a credible threat to his well-being, prompting an extensive multi-agency search. The family’s confirmation brought an outpouring of condolences and messages of support online, with many thanking the community for their prayers, shares, and efforts during the search.
The family has asked for continued prayers as they mourn the loss of Leonard Thompson.
