A North Carolina woman who disappeared in 2001 was found alive earlier this year and reunited tearfully with her daughter outside a courthouse in Rockingham County on March 26. Michele Hundley Smith appeared in court to address a DWI charge dating back to November 2001.
Disappearance and Location Details
Smith vanished on December 9, 2001, after leaving her home in Eden, North Carolina, to go Christmas shopping in Martinsville, Virginia. Her vehicle was never recovered, and she did not return. Her husband reported her missing later that month. Despite extensive searches by local, state, and federal agencies, her whereabouts remained unknown for 24 years until she was located on February 20, 2026, at an undisclosed location in North Carolina near the South Carolina state line.
Investigation and Court Appearance
Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page stated that Smith told investigators she left her family voluntarily due to “ongoing domestic issues,” though he did not provide further details. No evidence of foul play has been found. Smith was taken into custody by the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office on February 25, 2026, at the request of Rockingham County authorities. She posted a $2,000 bond for a failure-to-appear charge related to the 2001 DWI and is scheduled for a court hearing on April 23.
Emotional Reunion
Following her initial court appearance, Smith embraced her daughter Amanda Hundley, marking their first meeting in 24 years. Amanda commented on how she initially did not recognize her mother. Smith has expressed a desire to reconcile with her daughter and family. Neighbors reported she had lived quietly in a rural area for years prior to being found.
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