Mother of three vanished while Christmas shopping—24 years later, she’s found alive in North Carolina
Times of India
by TOI WORLD DESKFebruary 23, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
A mother of three, Michele Hundley Smith, who vanished 24 years ago while Christmas shopping, has been found alive in North Carolina. Her disappearance in December 1998 left her family and authorities puzzled for decades. Although she had told her family she was going Christmas shopping, she never returned, leaving her children—then aged seven, 14, and 19—devastated.
The Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Smith's discovery on February 21, 2026. She has reportedly been living a private life in North Carolina for over two decades, away from her family. Police stated that she is safe and in good health. The circumstances surrounding her disappearance and why she stayed hidden remain unclear, with authorities declining to share details on how they tracked her down.
Smith’s family reacted with mixed emotions. Her cousin, Barbara Byrd, expressed relief at the news, while Smith’s daughter, Amanda, shared a complex mix of feelings—ecstatic yet confused. Amanda questioned whether she could rebuild a relationship with her mother after so many years and expressed that the bond they once shared would never be forgotten.
This case highlights the rare success of solving a long-term missing person mystery. The involvement of agencies like the FBI underscores the persistence of authorities in such cases. Smith’s story resonates globally, offering hope to families still searching for their loved ones and reminding us of the enduring impact of such disappearances on those left behind.
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/23/2026