Michele Hundley Smith told her family she would be doing some Christmas shopping on December 9, 2001. The 38-year-old left her home in North Carolina and seemingly vanished. For decades, her family and friends held out hope they’d find her alive. More than two decades later, investigators confirmed that they’ve found Smith in an undisclosed location in North Carolina. The news brings a bit of closure but also makes many people wonder what really happened and why Smith left in the first place.
Detectives from the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office reportedly received a lead on her whereabouts and located her shortly thereafter, noted a news release posted on social media. Smith confirmed her identity but asked that authorities not disclose her location. According to People, Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page said Smith was in good health and that nothing suspicious appeared to have led to her disappearance.
“Let me just say there were no allegations of any foul play regarding to her leaving,” Page said, per the magazine. “But according to Ms. Smith, she said she left… due to ongoing domestic issues at the time.”
Page added that police had no records involving Smith or her husband prior to her disappearance.
Smith’s daughter, Amanda Hundley, created a Facebook page years ago dedicated to finding her mother. After news began to spread, she posted a lengthy update to the page. Amanda made it very clear she does not want her father’s name dragged through the mud.
“My father has been through so much and I want it made clear that while their marriage had issues (just as many marriages go through) that my mom did not leave simply bc of a bad marriage. Everyone is entitled their opinions but please remember that my father has been proven innocent,” she wrote. “My dad is a great man and honestly, the fact that he is human just as I am human and you are human,… He’s close to being a super hero in my eyes and he ALWAYS will be.”
The daughter added that she’s feeling a lot of emotions about her mother, admitting in the Facebook update that she’s “all over the map!”
Hundley does not know if she will ever have a relationship with her mother again but is open to exploring the opportunity. She wants the wishes of both of her parents respected and their feelings taken into account before people speculate on what might have happened.
We cannot imagine what this family must be going through. Hopefully, they can all find healing and peace knowing that Smith’s alive. We’re sure she had her reasons for disappearing, even if no one else understands.
