Missing mom reappears after 24 years, citing 'domestic issues'

A mother from North Carolina, found safe after more than twenty years of being reported missing, explained to officials that she departed due to alleged “domestic issues.”

Last week, it was declared that Michele Hundley Smith was “alive and well,” after she left her Eden, N.C., residence for Christmas shopping in 2001 and didn’t come back, as stated by a announcement from the Rockingham County Sheriff's Office. At that moment, the mother of three was 38 years old.

Over 24 years later, on February 20, 2026, Sgt. A. Disher and Detective C. Worley encountered the missing woman “in person” at a secret location in North Carolina, following new information received by the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division the previous day.

Her family has been informed of her wellbeing, yet she has requested her current whereabouts remain confidential.

"I’d like to emphasise there were no accusations of any misconduct contributing to her departure," he states. "But according to Ms. Smith, she mentioned leaving... because of persistent domestic concerns during that period."

She "didn't provide additional details," he stated.

Page further explained that his office lacks any records concerning domestic matters before Smith’s 2001 disappearance.

The resolution of this missing person's case is significant for both Smith’s family and the local community — and Page wishes to acknowledge the detectives for “an excellent job.”

“They located this lady who had been missing for over two decades. We don't encounter many missing person cases like this,” Page continues. “But now the family finally has closure, knowing she is fine.”

The enigma started on December 9, 2001, when Smith left for holiday shopping at a K-Mart in nearby Martinsville, Virginia, less than 20 miles across the state line, according to her husband’s statement to the police, as per the press release. 

By December 31, 2001, the sheriff’s office had been notified of Smith’s disappearance, prompting a prolonged search with involvement from multiple agencies, including the FBI.

Years later, on February 19, the sheriff’s office was tipped off with new information, which Page refrained from discussing in detail.

“Some data was relayed back to us, prompting our detectives…to investigate,” he shares.

Once the missing woman was discovered on February 20, the case was handed over to the local district attorney’s office.

“Naturally, the question arose, as she had three children when she left; they remained with their father,” states Page. “Our detectives have interacted with the district attorney's office to explore the potential for any charges related to abandonment or similar issues.”

No charges have been made so far. Katy Gregg, District Attorney for the Twenty-Second Prosecuting District, informs PEOPLE the case is underway and no conclusions have been reached yet.

The announcement puts an end to a lengthy search for Smith’s family. Her daughter, Amanda, established a Facebook page focused on Smith’s disappearance.

In an emotional message on February 20, she expressed the range of emotions experienced after learning her mother was found.