Woman Missing for 24 Years Found Alive in North Carolina

Michele Hundley Smith was located at an undisclosed location after an extensive investigation by multiple law enforcement agencies.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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A woman reported missing over 24 years ago has been found 'alive and well' in North Carolina, according to the Rockingham County Sheriff's Office. Michele Hundley Smith was 38 years old when she disappeared in 2001 after leaving her home to go Christmas shopping. After receiving a new lead on Thursday, detectives located Smith at an undisclosed location the next day.

Why it matters

The case drew the attention and collaboration of multiple agencies across North Carolina and Virginia, including the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the FBI. Despite countless hours of investigative work and the pursuit of numerous leads, Smith's whereabouts remained unknown for over two decades.

The details

According to the sheriff's office, Smith's husband reported her missing on December 31, 2001, saying she had left their home in Martinsville, Virginia to go to K-Mart for Christmas shopping and never returned. Detectives immediately followed up on the new lead they received on Thursday and made contact with Smith at an undisclosed location the next day.

  • Michele Hundley Smith went missing on December 9, 2001.
  • Her disappearance was reported to the Rockingham County Sheriff's Office on December 31, 2001.
  • On Thursday, the sheriff's office received new information about Smith and her disappearance.
  • Detectives located Smith at an undisclosed location the following day, on Friday.

The players

Michele Hundley Smith

A woman who was reported missing over 24 years ago and has now been found 'alive and well' in North Carolina.

Rockingham County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency that led the investigation into Michele Hundley Smith's disappearance and ultimately located her.

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What they’re saying

“The Rockingham County Sheriff's Office extends its sincere gratitude to the many agencies and investigators who dedicated substantial time, resources, and unwavering determination to this case over the years. Their persistence and commitment ultimately led to the locating of Michelle Hundely [sic] Smith and is a testament to the dedication of the Rockingham County Sheriff's Office and the Criminal Investigations Division, and the many other Law Enforcement agencies that have assisted throughout the years.”

— Rockingham County Sheriff's Office (Facebook)

“I am ecstatic, I am p*****, I am heartbroken, I am all over the map! Will I have a relationship once more with my mom? Honestly I can't answer that [because] I don't even know... My initial reaction would be yes absolutely but then I think of all the hurt... But even then ... My mom is only human just as we all are.”

— Michele Hundley Smith's child (Facebook)

The takeaway

This case highlights the persistence and dedication of law enforcement agencies in pursuing missing persons cases, even decades after the initial disappearance. It also underscores the complex emotions and challenges that families face when a long-lost loved one is suddenly found.