Shivangi Sinha
Losing a parent is devastating at any age, and for Linette Griffy, the grief was especially overwhelming. She and her wife, Gina, were the ones who went to check on Byron Griffy and instead discovered his remains. As the case was ruled a homicide, clear answers only seemed to drift further out of reach. Despite their heartbreak, Linette and Gina remained steadfast and assisted investigators in any way they could. In ID’s ‘The Rocky Mountain Mortician Murder,’ both women recounted what they had experienced and reflected on the justice they ultimately received.
Linette and Gina Griffy Were Unsatisfied With the Verdict in Byron Griffy’s Case
Linette Griffy was raised alongside her two sisters, Lindalin and Amy, and always remembered their father, Byron Griffy, as a loving presence in her life. After finishing school, she left Colorado for a while, but everything changed when she met Gina. She was someone with whom she immediately envisioned building a future. Gina already had three children from a previous relationship, and Linette took to them wholeheartedly. She ultimately decided to return to Colorado, and although she was nervous about coming out to her father, Byron responded with the same warmth and acceptance he had always shown. Linette and Gina eventually moved into his farmhouse in Fowler, but by 2011, life there had begun to grow complicated.
Linette alleged that their home had experienced a few break-ins, and because her father kept his coin collection and other antiques there, he grew increasingly worried. She also recalled the day he allegedly found a noose hanging on the property as a threat, which pushed the family to relocate. According to her, Byron had entrusted his coins to Anthony Wright and Charles Giebler, but over time, both men allegedly stopped taking his calls when he asked to view and document them. On October 12, 2012, Byron planned to meet Anthony and Charles at the farmhouse for lunch. By evening, when he hadn’t returned, Linette became anxious. She and Gina drove to the farmhouse, where Gina discovered the remains first and called 911 immediately.
For Linette, getting answers was crucial. She cooperated fully with the police and shared her suspicions about Anthony and Charles. She pointed out the alleged inconsistencies she noticed in their timeline, and when Byron’s silver coins were later recovered from Anthony’s home, she helped identify them for investigators. Linette also alleged that the number of coins her father had originally entrusted to them was far greater than what was ultimately returned to her. When Anthony pleaded guilty to a lesser charge in 2017, she was deeply disappointed and stated that the plea deal should never have been offered, as it made no sense to her. In her view, Anthony deserved a much harsher punishment.
Linette Griffy Filed a Lawsuit Alongside Her Two Sisters
In April 2014, Linette Griffy and her sisters, Lindalin and Amy Griffy, filed a civil lawsuit against former Charles-Anthony Funeral Home director Anthony Wright, the estate of his late partner Charles Giebler, the estate’s representative Joyce Thigpen, as well as the Otero County Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff Chris Johnson. The suit detailed the items Byron Griffy had allegedly entrusted to Wright and Giebler and claimed that they were never fully returned. It further alleged that some recovered items were held as evidence and accused Anthony and Charles of conspiring to kill Byron and using his possessions for personal gain. Any further details about the lawsuit since then are not publicly available.
Related
Linette and Gina Griffy are Surrounded by the Love of Their Grandkids Today
Linette and Gina Griffy have built a warm and loving life together in Fowler, Colorado, where they continue to reside. Professionally, Linette has spent many years working in education, particularly in the field of special needs support. She previously taught at La Junta Jr./Sr. High School until July 2020, and later joined Santa Fe Trail BOCES, where she worked until January 2022. After that, she began her role with the East Otero School District R-1, where she is currently employed as a Special Education Teacher. Her work has been centered on supporting students with diverse learning needs and contributing to the school community with dedication and consistency. Beyond her role as an educator and parent, Linette is an outspoken advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and has been open about her political views.
Gina has followed a similar path in the field of education. She has been associated with the Fowler School District, where she also worked as a teacher. Both she and Linette’s professional lives have reflected a long-term commitment to the community they call home. On the personal front, Linette and Gina have shared a long, fulfilling marriage and have raised a close-knit family. Gina had three children, Neylan, Laiken, and Liam, from a previous relationship, and Linette embraced them as her own after the couple decided to build a life together. Over the years, they have remained deeply involved in every stage of their children’s lives, consistently attending milestones, celebrations, and challenges.
Whether it was accompanying them to prom, attending school events, supporting them through graduations, or taking part in their weddings, they have made it a point to be present and supportive. In 2022, when Laiken got married, the family celebrated together, with Linette and Gina describing the event as one of the most beautiful weddings they had witnessed and one of the happiest days of their lives. In January 2025, they proudly attended Liam’s college graduation. Today, Linette and Gina are grandparents to five grandchildren whom they cannot stop gushing about. Together, the couple enjoys spending time outdoors. They often take family trips and appreciate the little moments in nature. While her father’s memories will never leave her, Linette has done everything to honor and remember him in the best way.
