Dominique Dawes and her family are mourning the loss of her father-in-law after a days-long search in Virginia ended in tragedy.
According to USA Today, authorities confirmed that Leonard Hugh Thompson, 79, was found dead on Saturday, December 20, in the Troutville area near Roanoke, several days after he was reported missing.
Virginia State Police had issued a “critical missing adult” alert earlier in the week following Thompson’s disappearance from Herndon, Virginia.
According to officials, Thompson was last seen on Monday, December 15. The following day, his vehicle was discovered along Interstate 81 near Roanoke with a flat tire. The keys were missing, raising immediate concern about his well-being and whereabouts. Law enforcement agencies and search crews worked for days to locate him.
As the search continued, Dawes took to social media to ask for public assistance. In a message shared earlier Saturday, she said the family feared Thompson may have experienced a medical episode and could have been confused or disoriented.
Hours later, Dawes confirmed the devastating outcome. She shared a photo on Instagram honoring her father-in-law, referring to him affectionately as “Papa T.”
“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.”
Dawes also reflected on her family’s final moments with Thompson, writing, “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.”
Dawes and her husband, Jeff Thompson, share four children. The family has not released additional details surrounding Thompson’s death.
A native of Silver Spring, Maryland, Dawes is widely recognized as one of the most accomplished gymnasts in U.S. history.
She made history at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta as the first Black woman to win an Olympic gold medal in gymnastics when Team USA captured the team title. She also earned an individual bronze medal on floor exercise at those Games.
Dawes competed in three Olympic Games overall, collecting additional bronze medals as part of the U.S. women’s team in Barcelona in 1992 and Sydney in 2000.
