(The Charlotte Observer) - LendingTree CEO and chairman Doug Lebda was alone when he was killed in an all-terrain vehicle accident on the family farm in western North Carolina, according to an incident report about his death.
Lebda was the founder and CEO of LendingTree, the Charlotte-based fintech where borrowers can browse loans from multiple providers including credit cards, mortgages or personal loans.
The 55-year-old died on Sunday, Oct. 12, on a sprawling, riverfront farm site that he had bought just over two months ago. He had long dreamed of owning such a farm, according to his obituary.
At 7:31 p.m. Sunday, the Polk County 911 Communications Center received a call regarding a missing person, Polk County spokeswoman Kellie Cannon said. Polk County Sheriff’s Office and emergency management personnel were dispatched to his last known location.
“An investigator from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the scene and determined that there were no indications of foul play,” Cannon said.
Sheriff’s Office provides details about Lebda death
Lebda was found deceased in a field or wooded area on the family farm property at 10580 NC Highway 108 in Mill Spring at 7:31 p.m., according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office incident report.
The report indicates Lebda was dead on arrival and was alone. Lebda was last known to be alive at 3 p.m., according to the incident report. The ATV was a red Honda Pioneer utility terrain vehicle, which is a type of all-terrain vehicle.
A 54-year-old man from Rutherford with redacted information is listed as “others involved,” and his 37-year-old wife is listed as a “witness.” The sheriff’s report had redacted additional information about the incident.
Lebda purchased the property over two months ago
Lebda had purchased the 227-acre property on July 22 for $2.75 million, according to Polk County property records.
The property, 5 miles from Tryon International Equestrian Center, was purchased under Lebda Land Holdings LLC with LendingTree’s address, 1415 Vantage Park Drive, records show.
The property includes a three-bedroom barndominium, 1.5 miles of private Green River frontage, a 5.5-acre stocked pond, hardwood forests and open fields for hunting, fishing, kayaking, hiking and nature preservation, auction site Bid Y’all shows.
A barndominium or barndo is a barn-like structure customized for residential living. The farm is about 80 miles west of Charlotte off U.S. 74., and a 20-minute drive from Lake Lure.
Lebda at LendingTree and the community The Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, native was an entrepreneur who founded LendingTree out of his own frustrations over securing his first mortgage.
He launched the company in 1996 and went national in 1998. LendingTree offered a new concept during the early years of the internet, allowing people to comparison-shopping loans online. In 2003, Lebda sold the company to IAC/InterActiveCorp.
From 2005 to 2008, Lebda was IAC’s president and COO. In 2008, he joined the newly formed Tree.com (rebranded as LendingTree) as it spun out from IAC as a separate public company.
Scott Peyree, LendingTree’s chief operating officer, has been appointed by the board to serve as the company’s president and chief executive officer.
Lead Independent Director Steve Ozonian has been appointed to serve as the chairman of the board and At the end of the second quarter, LendingTree had consolidated revenue of $250.1 million.
By the end of the year, LendingTree expects to have a total revenue between $1 billion to $1.05 billion. The company has about 940 employees companywide, with more than 300 in Charlotte.
LendingTree officials have not responded to requests for comment from The Charlotte Observer.
