North Carolina Mother Found Alive 24 Years After Vanishing Shortly Before Christmas of 2001
A missing North Carolina mother who went missing in 2001 has been found alive, according to authorities.
The Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office announced in a statement: Michelle Hundley Smith He was located somewhere in North Carolina, he said, adding that “his whereabouts will not be disclosed at this time” at the woman’s request.
The police stated that the woman was not in any danger and was in good condition, adding that her loved ones were informed that “her location was determined and information was given about this request.”
Smith, now 62, was last seen leaving his home in Eden on December 9, 2001. Rumor has it that Smith told her husband at the time that she was going to a Kmart in Martinsville, Virginia, to do some Christmas shopping, but never returned.
In a statement made by the sheriff’s office, it was stated that an official missing person report was prepared for the 38-year-old mother and “a thorough investigation was immediately initiated.”
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“Over the years, the case has attracted the attention and cooperation of many agencies in North Carolina and Virginia, including the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI),” the press release said. “Despite hours of investigative work and following numerous leads, the whereabouts of Michelle Hundley Smith remain unknown.”
The sheriff’s office never gave up on the search, which ended Friday, February 20.
The sheriff’s office’s Criminal Investigations Division “received new information regarding Michelle Hundley Smith and her disappearance” and “detectives immediately pursued the lead and began further investigative efforts,” the statement said.
Two detectives spoke with him and confirmed his identity. He does not appear to be facing any criminal charges.
“The Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office expresses its sincere gratitude to the many agencies and investigators who devoted significant time, resources and unwavering commitment to this case over the years,” the police statement said. The statement was included.
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“Their persistence and determination ultimately led to the discovery of Michelle Hundley Smith, and is a testament to the dedication of the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office and Criminal Investigations Division, as well as the many other Law Enforcement Agencies who have assisted over the years,” the statement said.
A Facebook page, run by his daughter, about Smith’s case. Amanda SmithHe thanked “everyone for their support” but said he would “not go into personal details at this time.”
“I will say my mom has chosen her new life and we know she’s alive and that’s enough for now. I can’t really think of a heartfelt post right now but again,” Amanda wrote, adding that she plans to rename her Facebook page now that her mother has been located. Instead, Amanda will focus her efforts on highlighting other unsolved missing persons cases.
“She believes he woke up that night and left her and us.” Amanda told NBC News in 2020 his father’s theory about his mother’s disappearance. “And I think it’s possible. It’s hard to ignore that he left us all and started a new life. But there’s also something that bothers me; something happened to him on his way home.”
