Lisa Marie Waddle, a 46-year-old woman from Burkburnett, Texas, tragically lost her life on April 8, 2015, in Quanah, TX. She was one of two victims found shot to death at a vacant farmhouse west of Quanah. The other victim, Terrance Besaw, aged 41, was from Chillicothe. The investigation into their deaths led to the arrest of Gary Andrew Callaway, a 31-year-old man from Quanah.
Callaway was arrested several days after the bodies were discovered, at a motel in Wichita Falls on an
outstanding credit card abuse warrant. He was later charged with two counts of capital murder. During the trial, it was revealed that Callaway had confessed to the killings, claiming he shot Besaw in self-defense but admitted to shooting Waddle because he believed she would be a witness. The physical evidence and Callaway's confession led to his conviction.
In June 2016, Gary Andrew Callaway was sentenced to life in prison for the double slaying. The trial, held in the Hardeman County Courthouse in Quanah, saw District Attorney Staley Heath prosecuting the case, while Callaway was defended by attorneys Jonathan Whitsitt and Earl Griffin. The jury, consisting of seven men and five women, found Callaway guilty based on the evidence presented, including testimonies and the confession.
The tragic deaths of Lisa Marie Waddle and Terrance Besaw brought a sense of closure to their families, although the pain of their loss remains. The case highlighted the importance of thorough investigations and the pursuit of justice, even in the face of complex and emotionally challenging circumstances.
