Sudden Disappearance of an American Woman for 24 Years

The family continued for decades to follow the case. North Carolina authorities announced the discovery of Michelle Handley Smith, the mother who disappeared 24 years ago, alive, in an incident that surprised everyone. The reasons for her disappearance remain unclear.

According to People magazine, Michelle, 62, disappeared on December 9, 2001, after leaving her home in Eden to go shopping at a K-Mart in Martinsville, Virginia, and had not been found since. Michelle’s husband reported her disappearance, prompting authorities to open a comprehensive investigation involving multiple agencies, including the North Carolina Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Mixed Emotions In a new development, the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office confirmed receiving information about Michelle’s whereabouts on February 19, and she was contacted in person on February 20 at an undisclosed location. Authorities stated that Michelle is in good health but requested that her location remain confidential.

Her family expressed mixed emotions following the sudden announcement. Her daughter Amanda wrote on social media: “I am happy, angry, sad, and my feelings are conflicted… I don’t know if I can rebuild the relationship with her after all these years.”

Her cousin, Barbara Beard, expressed relief that she is alive but noted ongoing questions about the reason for her disappearance. The family continued to follow the case for decades, with Amanda creating a Facebook page in 2018 to gather any new information, while authorities continued their investigation over the past years.