Searchers located the body of former LendingTree CEO and founder Doug Lebda after hearing his labradoodle barking, according to a 911 call and local records.
Lebda, 55, a father of three, was killed “unexpectedly” on Oct. 12 in what was described as an “all-terrain vehicle accident” on his family’s North Carolina farm.
Discovery at the Farm
According to a 911 call obtained by The Charlotte Observer, a man identifying himself as Lebda’s employee contacted a Polk County emergency dispatcher around 7:30 p.m. that evening to report him missing.
“I need everybody because this owner has disappeared at this farm right here where the pond is,” the caller said. He explained that Lebda had left on his ATV at around 3 p.m. without his phone, accompanied only by his “little labradoodle.”
“We heard the dog barking a while ago, but now we can’t find the dog,” the caller continued. “The dog is with Doug. Megan [Lebda’s wife] in Charlotte. He’s here by himself.”
Minutes later, the caller exclaimed, “I heard that dog! He barked one time. He’s on that hill. … There it was again.” He noted that the barking came from across a dam where searchers were already looking.
A 911 report later confirmed that members of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and emergency responders arrived on scene, finding Lebda’s body at around 8:06 p.m., pinned beneath an overturned side-by-side vehicle.
A Polk County spokesperson said an investigator determined there were “no indications of foul play.”
Remembering Doug Lebda
Following his death, Lebda’s wife, Megan, said it was “impossible to capture the depth of who Doug was and what he meant to all of us.”
“He was an amazing man with a heart so big it seemed to have room for everyone he met,” she said. “Doug was compassionate, generous, and endlessly curious about the world and the people around him. He made friends everywhere he went. His energy was magnetic, his smile contagious, and his presence was a source of comfort and inspiration.”
“Doug’s greatest joy was seeing others succeed,” she added. “His generosity knew no limits, and his kindness touched every single person who crossed his path. He lifted people up, believed in their potential, and celebrated their wins as if they were his own.”
A Legacy of Innovation
Lebda founded LendingTree in 1996 “after a frustrating experience trying to obtain his first mortgage,” according to his company biography. Over the years, he held multiple leadership roles, including an executive position with IAC during the period it owned LendingTree.
“Doug was a visionary leader whose relentless drive, innovation and passion transformed the financial services landscape, touching the lives of millions of consumers,” LendingTree’s board said in a statement. “His passion will continue to inspire us as we move forward together. We extend our deepest sympathies to Doug’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
Tributes from Family
During his memorial service on Oct. 19, Lebda’s daughters, Abby and Rachel, honored his memory.
“My dad was the most incredible man I’ve ever known and I’m the luckiest girl in the world to get to call him my dad,” said Rachel, according to ABC affiliate WSOC.
“As for the three of us, don’t worry dad. We have each other now, and I know you’re proud of us,” Abby added.
