The story of Michelle Hundley Smith, an American mom disappeared 24 years ago put in check the FBIbut the case took a shocking turn when she was located alive and her familymainly his daughter Amandais the one who is most suffering.
What happened to Michelle Hundley?
On December 9, 2001, Michelle Hundley left her home in Eden, North Carolina,
Her husband reported that she told him she was going Christmas shopping in nearby Martinsville, Virginia, according to authorities. That meant moving away from his partner and three children.
However, neither Michelle, who then I was 38 years oldnor his 1995 Pontiac Trans Sport minivan returned; and her husband reported her missing to the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office on New Year’s Eve 2001.
The endless search
Her husband reported her on December 31 of that year, which began a search of more than two decades that involved multiple police agencies and federal states in North Carolina and Virginia over the years, including the FBI.
In early February 2026, Sam Page, Rockingham County Sheriff announced his discovery “alive and in good condition.”
However, despite countless hours spent by agents and detectives following numerous leads in this disturbing case, Michelle’s whereabouts remained unknown, according to the police. sheriff’s office of Rockingham County,.
That was until Thursday the 19th of this month, the agency stated that it had received new information about Michelle Hundley Smith and her disappearance.
Where was Michelle Hundley Smith found?
Investigators located Michelle Hundley Smith face to face on February 20 and confirmed that she was alive, safe and sound and they stated that was in an undisclosed location in North Carolina.
The story takes an unexpected turn: she did not want to be found or see her family
“At his request, his current whereabouts will be kept secret.”declared the office of the sheriff de Rockingham.
“Your family has been notified that has been located and has also been informed of this request.”
What did she say when she was found?
Rockingham Sheriff Sam Page said Michelle told authorities that she walk a new life and revealed that decided to abandon his family due to “persistent domestic issues”as reported People.
Page told People that his office had no records related to domestic issues involving Michelle before her disappearance.
His office had reportedly referred the case to the local prosecutor’s office to determine whether criminal charges, including possibly abandonment, should be filed. However, as of Tuesday this week (February 24), no action had been taken in this regard.
How old was Michelle’s daughter when she abandoned her?
Amanda Smith , his daughter, who was 14 years old The last time she saw her mother, she shared her reaction to the news about her mother in a post on the Facebook page “Bring Michelle Hundley Smith Home”which I believe after its disappearance.
On February 20, he shared the various emotions he felt after the news of his mother’s discovery.
One of the first things she described was relief that her father “had proven his innocence” of accusations that he was somehow “involved” in Michelle’s disappearance.
Although Amanda acknowledged that her parents had marital problems, without going into details, she said: “My mother He didn’t just leave because of a bad marriage.“.
“My father has been through a lot. and I want to be clear that, while his marriage had problems (as many marriages do), my mother did not leave him simply because of a bad marriage.”
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Her daughter’s reaction to knowing that her mother did not want to see them
Although he also described his mixed emotions: on the one hand happy to know she is alive and healthy; but, on the other hand, perhaps sadness because his mother expressed her desire to keep distanceto her who searched for her tirelessly.
“I’m in a state of madness!“, wrote.
“Will I have a relationship with my mother again? The truth is that I can’t answer to that (because) I don’t even know… My initial reaction would be yes, of course, but then I think about all the pain… But still… My mother is as human as all of us.”
After mentioning her complex emotions about closing her mother’s missing persons case, Amanda wrote that “I can absolutely understand (someone) leaving.” after “everything” he has dealt with in his own life. And he subtly apologizes to his mother.
“I’m not saying I’m going to get away with it, because it’s absolutely necessary,” Amanda continued. “What I’m saying is… please remember that we have all made mistakes in lifewe have all hurt souls, intentionally or not.
“Please remember that each of us has done things we are not proud of.”
New turn in Michelle Hundley Smith’s story: arrested
This February 26, 2026, the viral and unusual story took another turn when new information was revealed.
Michelle was arrested on the 23rd, shortly after being found because there was an arrest warrant against her for not appearing in court on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol since November 2001, a month before she disappeared while Christmas shopping, reported WFMY.
Smith was arrested at the request of Rockingham County authorities and later posted bail. He is scheduled to appear in Rockingham County District Court on March 26.
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