Two prominent figures—one a trailblazer in American finance, the other a rising star in Italian winemaking and politics—have died in separate, shocking accidents, sending ripples of grief and uncertainty through their respective communities. Doug Lebda, the founder and CEO of LendingTree, died in an ATV accident on his family farm in North Carolina on Sunday, October 12, 2025. Just two days earlier, Matteo Forner, a celebrated winemaker and local councillor in Castelcucco, northern Italy, lost his life in a tragic incident involving a grape press at his family’s winery. Both men leave behind legacies marked by innovation, leadership, and deep community impact.
Doug Lebda, aged 55, was found dead after what LendingTree described as a “horror ATV accident.” The news, confirmed by an emotional company statement, left the financial world stunned. LendingTree, headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, praised Lebda as a “visionary leader” whose “relentless drive, innovation and passion” transformed the financial services landscape, touching millions of consumers. According to The US Sun, Lebda’s sudden passing has been met with an outpouring of tributes from business leaders, politicians, and the broader community.
His wife Megan, in a heartfelt written statement, said, “Our hearts are broken, but we are also deeply grateful for the love and support that has poured in from across the world. Doug’s legacy will continue in the company he built, the lives he touched, and the example he set for all of us to lead with kindness, courage, and compassion.” Lebda is survived by Megan and their three daughters—Rachel, Abby, and Sophia.
In the wake of the tragedy, LendingTree moved quickly to ensure stability, appointing chief operating officer Scott Peyree as its new president and CEO, effective immediately. Steve Ozonian, a longtime director, was named chairman of the board. Peyree, acknowledging the weight of his predecessor’s legacy, pledged to “continue to add to Lebda’s legacy and continue to push the company onwards.”
The shock of Lebda’s death reverberated through financial markets as well. LendingTree’s shares dropped about nine percent—from nearly $61 to approximately $56.91—on Monday, October 13, 2025, with trading briefly halted as investors absorbed the news. The company’s future, while in capable hands, faces a period of transition as it copes with the loss of its founder and guiding force.
Lebda’s journey with LendingTree began in 1996, sparked by his own struggle to secure a mortgage. He left business school to launch the company, which quickly gained traction as an online lending marketplace. The company went public in 2000, and just three years later, Lebda sold it to InterActiveCorp for $726 million—a substantial sum at the time. Yet, he remained at the helm as CEO, steering LendingTree through the evolving digital financial landscape. Under his leadership, the company earned a spot as the third fastest-growing US company on Forbes’ 2017 list.
Tributes poured in from across the spectrum. Pat McCrory, former North Carolina governor and seven-term Charlotte mayor, wrote on X, “I have lost a true friend and North Carolina has lost one of America’s greatest entrepreneurs.” Charlotte city councilman Edwin Peacock echoed the sentiment on Facebook, calling Lebda “a visionary business leader and generous philanthropist who left a lasting impact on Charlotte and beyond.”
While the specifics of the ATV accident remain undisclosed, the sense of loss is palpable. Lebda’s influence extended far beyond LendingTree’s balance sheets; he was widely regarded as a mentor and role model, both in business and philanthropy. As the company—and indeed, the industry—faces the future without him, many are left reflecting on the indelible mark he made.
Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, the Italian wine community and the small town of Castelcucco are mourning the sudden death of Matteo Forner, aged 44. Forner, a renowned winemaker and a local councillor, was killed on Friday evening, October 10, 2025, while cleaning equipment at the Pat del Colmél winery, his family’s estate. According to Corriere del Veneto, Forner was performing end-of-day cleaning with his father, Lino, when the grape press—thought to be off—unexpectedly restarted, trapping him by the neck and killing him instantly. Investigators suspect that a brief power outage caused the machine to appear switched off, only to reactivate when electricity returned.
Emergency crews, including firefighters and Carabinieri officers, rushed to the scene, but paramedics could only pronounce Forner dead. The Treviso Public Prosecutor’s Office has since opened a manslaughter investigation to determine the precise circumstances of the accident. Forner’s father witnessed the tragedy and immediately raised the alarm, but there was nothing anyone could do.
Forner’s death has left a deep void not only in his family—he leaves behind his parents, Lino and Gabriella, a 15-year-old son, a brother, and a sister—but also in the wider wine and political communities. He had recently assumed greater responsibility managing the 20-hectare family estate and was overseeing what was described as a particularly generous harvest season. His commitment to preserving ancient grape varieties, such as Recantina and Rabbiosa, earned him respect and admiration throughout the region.
In 2022, Forner was elected to Castelcucco’s council, where he quickly became known for his dedication and approachable manner. Mayor Paolo Mares, a close friend, told Il Gazzettino, “My world fell apart when I heard the news. Before becoming a city councilor, Matteo was a dear friend. He was kind and helpful, a tireless worker... Workwise, he was a monster, and it showed in the work he did at the winery. Today we have lost a very precious person, also for the entire community.” Forner was just ten days away from his 45th birthday; his funeral will be held in the coming days.
The dual tragedies—one in the rolling hills of North Carolina, the other in the vineyards of northern Italy—serve as stark reminders of the unpredictability of life and the risks faced even by those at the top of their fields. Both Lebda and Forner were deeply involved in their communities, respected for their vision and generosity. Their sudden deaths have prompted investigations and soul-searching, as colleagues, friends, and family grapple with the loss.
As their communities prepare to honor their memories, the legacies of Doug Lebda and Matteo Forner will undoubtedly endure—in the companies and vineyards they nurtured, in the innovations and traditions they championed, and in the lives they touched along the way.