A New Mexico woman has been sentenced to 18 years in prison after pleading guilty to killing her husband, Craig Thetford, in a case that began as a missing-person investigation and ended with the discovery of his body on their property.Deana Thetford pleaded guilty in the death of Craig Thetford, whose disappearance prompted months of concern from family, friends and investigators in southern New Mexico and Texas.Craig Thetford was last seen on New Year’s Day 2025 after spending the previous day with friends in Cloudcroft, according to interviews and body camera footage obtained by KOAT.By Jan. 4, concern was already growing.A friend told investigators Deana Thetford called and said Craig was “really sick,” but refused to let anyone come check on him or help.”When she called, she was hysterical and said that he was sick. He was really sick. Craig’s really sick. And I’m like, ‘OK, let us come look at him,'” the friend told investigators.As the weeks went on, relatives and friends said Deana Thetford gave conflicting explanations about Craig Thetford’s whereabouts. According to interviews in the case, she allegedly told different people that he was in Texas, working on a hotshot crew, in Albuquerque, or had gone to Mexico.”Whenever Roger came up and interviewed Dana, she told Roger he took off to Mexico on a fishing trip. So I mean, there was all these different lies,” another friend told investigators.Those closest to Craig Thetford said the changing stories did not make sense because he was known for staying in close contact with the people he loved.”He would have never walked out. That’s why we knew he was dead,” his mother told investigators.Investigators also learned in February 2025, Deana Thetford bought a home in Seymour, Texas, in what a realtor described as a cash deal.As the investigation widened, detectives received tips from people who said Deana Thetford had admitted or implied she was involved in her husband’s disappearance.”She said she shot him,” said one witness. “I have a conscience and I can’t — I couldn’t just not say nothing.”By late spring, investigators executed search warrants at the property. Craig Thetford’s body was later found there, and his death was ruled a homicide. The case ended with Deana Thetford pleading guilty. She was sentenced to 18 years in prison.For Craig Thetford’s family, the case brought both heartbreak and long-awaited answers.”He deserves so much better. He absolutely does,” his mother said.Family and friends described Craig Thetford as hardworking, dependable, and deeply devoted to the people around him. They said he was the kind of man who always checked in, always showed up, and would do anything for the people he cared about.
A New Mexico woman has been sentenced to 18 years in prison after pleading guilty to killing her husband, Craig Thetford, in a case that began as a missing-person investigation and ended with the discovery of his body on their property.
Deana Thetford pleaded guilty in the death of Craig Thetford, whose disappearance prompted months of concern from family, friends and investigators in southern New Mexico and Texas.
Craig Thetford was last seen on New Year’s Day 2025 after spending the previous day with friends in Cloudcroft, according to interviews and body camera footage obtained by KOAT.
By Jan. 4, concern was already growing.
A friend told investigators Deana Thetford called and said Craig was “really sick,” but refused to let anyone come check on him or help.
“When she called, she was hysterical and said that he was sick. He was really sick. Craig’s really sick. And I’m like, ‘OK, let us come look at him,'” the friend told investigators.
As the weeks went on, relatives and friends said Deana Thetford gave conflicting explanations about Craig Thetford’s whereabouts. According to interviews in the case, she allegedly told different people that he was in Texas, working on a hotshot crew, in Albuquerque, or had gone to Mexico.
“Whenever Roger came up and interviewed Dana, she told Roger he took off to Mexico on a fishing trip. So I mean, there was all these different lies,” another friend told investigators.
Those closest to Craig Thetford said the changing stories did not make sense because he was known for staying in close contact with the people he loved.
“He would have never walked out. That’s why we knew he was dead,” his mother told investigators.
Investigators also learned in February 2025, Deana Thetford bought a home in Seymour, Texas, in what a realtor described as a cash deal.
As the investigation widened, detectives received tips from people who said Deana Thetford had admitted or implied she was involved in her husband’s disappearance.
“She said she shot him,” said one witness. “I have a conscience and I can’t — I couldn’t just not say nothing.”
By late spring, investigators executed search warrants at the property. Craig Thetford’s body was later found there, and his death was ruled a homicide.
The case ended with Deana Thetford pleading guilty. She was sentenced to 18 years in prison.
For Craig Thetford’s family, the case brought both heartbreak and long-awaited answers.
“He deserves so much better. He absolutely does,” his mother said.
Family and friends described Craig Thetford as hardworking, dependable, and deeply devoted to the people around him. They said he was the kind of man who always checked in, always showed up, and would do anything for the people he cared about.
