Bodies of Lindemans found in McDonald County, dog survived

More than six weeks after Leo and Katherine Lindeman vanished from their rural McDonald County home, their family is revealing new details about the discovery of two bodies believed to be theirs.

73-year-old Leo Lindeman and 74-year-old Katherine Lindeman disappeared in mid-September, leaving behind their vehicles, phones and personal belongings.

The search came to a tragic end Sunday afternoon, November 1, when a neighbor checking deer stands discovered a body in a heavily wooded area near their Anderson property.

According to the McDonald County Sheriff's Office, the neighbor called dispatch around 4 p.m. A responding deputy discovered a second body nearby, along with a dog that was still alive.

During a podcast interview with TBXUnfiltered, Leo's family members said the bodies were found approximately 20 feet apart.

The family also confirmed that the couple's missing dog, Itty Bitty, survived and is being cared for by a local organization.

Relatives said they were told there were no obvious gunshot wounds, stab wounds, or weapons at the scene.

However, authorities have not publicly confirmed those details or determined how the couple died.

The discovery came after weeks of extensive searches involving law enforcement, volunteers, drones, and search dogs.

LaShawnda described the property as heavily wooded and extremely difficult to navigate, with rocky, uneven ground and no established walking trails.

She also described finding the couple's home orderly during the initial search, with their personal belongings left behind and tools appearing to have been abandoned during outdoor work.

The family said the unexpected discovery has left them searching for answers about what happened and how the couple ended up on neighboring property.

Although relatives believe the bodies are those of the Lindemans, the sheriff's office says formal identification remains pending. Autopsies are expected later this week.

The investigation remains ongoing, and the FBI may have a role to play in the coming days and weeks.