The husband of dementia-stricken wife, 78, was found dead from brain cancer after he went missing from their home on the same day as his wife, for more than 60 years.

  • David McLeod, age 78, of Galashiels went missing on Thursday 16th December  
  • Sandra (79), his wife, passed away on Friday after a lengthy battle against brain cancer.  
  • Pair were known to say ‘if one died first the other would meet them on the way’ 










Just two days after his wife died from brain cancer, his husband with dementia went missing. 

David McLeod (78), from Galashiels in the Scottish Borders went missing on Thursday December 16th. His body was discovered on Sunday.

Sandra, his wife of 79 years, succumbed to brain cancer after a prolonged battle. Sandra died just 24 hours after her husband’s disappearance.

The pair, who had three children, 16 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren, were known to say ‘if one died first the other would meet them on the way’.  

David McLeod (above), 78, from Galashiels, Scottish Borders, went missing on Thursday, December 16, and his body was found on Sunday

David McLeod, 78, of Galashiels (Scottish Borders), went missing on Thursday December 16 and was discovered on Sunday

His wife Sandra (pictured), 79, died after a long battle with brain cancer at 12.55am on Friday, December 17, just hours after her husband disappeared

Sandra (pictured), his wife, was 79 years old and died from brain cancer after a prolonged battle. Sandra’s death occurred at 12:55 am on Friday, December 17th, just hours after her husband vanished.

David, an elderly construction worker who had been diagnosed with dementia, left his home around 8 p.m. to go buy a paper but never returned.

His body was found on Sunday, December 19, about a three-mile walk from his home in the countryside around Cauldshiels Loch.

Their devastated family said David’s watch, returned to the them by the police, had stopped at 12.55am, the exact time his wife died. 

The couple’s heartbroken family said it looked like they had died around the same time. 

A statement from the family said: ‘The McLeod family far and wide would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone for sharing our dad’s and grandad’s information and photo.

“Also, a big thanks to the public as well as all professionals who looked out for grandad.

“More important, the gentleman who discovered grandad for us and allowed us to take him home.

The pair (above), who had three children, 16 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren were known to say ¿if one died first the other would meet them on the way¿

The pair (above), who had three children, 16 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren were known to say ‘if one died first the other would meet them on the way’

‘It looks like he died around about the same time as ‘the wife’ as he called her on the first night missing.

All family members and friends will miss ‘Dave’ and Sandra.

“Anyone who knows them well knew that they were devoted to their family.

“They shared a life together for 63 years, and they will continue that journey in their final days together.”

“They used to say that if one of them died first, the other would be there on their way.

“Sandra and Mary, David, Kelly Kelly, Marion, and the rest”

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