Furious Wife Kills Husband, Drags Body to Carport with a Tractor

A New Mexico woman is facing first-degree murder charges after police say she shot her husband, dragged his body out of the house with a tractor, and left it wrapped in plastic in their carport for months.

Deana Thetford was arrested in Texas and is now being held without bond at the Wichita County Jail. According to authorities, she allegedly killed her 60-year-old husband, Craig Thetford, sometime earlier this year, then tried to cover up the crime with a series of lies — including telling police that he had taken off to Mexico with a new girlfriend.

Court records reveal a tangled timeline that began in May, when Craig’s family reported him missing after not hearing from him since January. During a welfare check at their home in Otero County, Deana told deputies that Craig had gone fishing in Mexico and even claimed he had taken up to $1.5 million in cash from safes inside the house.

When officers returned for a follow-up visit, Deana’s story shifted. This time, she said Craig had gone to Texas to care for his mother — a claim his family quickly disputed. Deputies noticed security cameras that Deana claimed weren’t working and spotted a suspicious 5-foot-deep hole in the yard, which she said was for a “raised garden bed.”

The case broke wide open after Deana’s own daughter spoke to investigators, revealing a shocking confession. She told police that her mother admitted she had a fight with Craig, during which he allegedly pushed her down the stairs. Enraged, Deana reportedly told her daughter she “blinded by rage” and shot him multiple times. Not knowing what to do next, she left his body in their pool room for two days, then wrapped it in rugs and plastic and dragged it out with a tractor.

She allegedly told her daughter, “The body’s still in the carport.”

On June 17, authorities obtained a search warrant and found Craig’s remains right where Deana said they’d be — wrapped in plastic and buried under household debris in the carport. An autopsy revealed multiple gunshot wounds and determined Craig had likely been dead for weeks or even months.

By then, Deana had fled to Texas, where she used cash to buy property in the town of Seymour back in February. Police say curiosity began to grow among acquaintances as people noticed her sudden wealth. Investigators later accessed the safes she previously claimed not to be able to open — they contained over $84,000 in cash, several firearms, and ammunition.

Deana Thetford is now charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence. Her husband’s death has been officially ruled a homicide. Authorities say the investigation is still ongoing and that federal and state agencies may pursue additional charges.