Michelle Hundley Smith: michelle hundley smith found alive after vanishing while Christmas shopping
Rockingham County authorities say michelle hundley smith, a North Carolina mother of three who vanished in 2001 while out Christmas shopping, has been found alive and well. The discovery, announced Feb. 20, follows new information received by investigators and leaves several key questions unanswered.
Michelle Hundley Smith located after detectives received new information
On Feb. 19, 2026 the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division received new information about Michele Hundley Smith and her disappearance. The next day, on Feb. 20, Sgt. A. Disher and Detective C. Worley made contact with Michele at an undisclosed location within North Carolina and found her "alive and well, " the sheriff’s office said.
The office shared an update on Feb. 20 and wrote, "For more than two decades, the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office remained steadfast in its commitment to seeking answers. " detectives received new information that led to contact with Michele, who is now 62.
How she disappeared in December 2001: Kmart trip to Martinsville, Va.
Michele was 38 years old when she left her Stoneville home on Dec. 9, 2001, telling family she was going Christmas shopping at a Kmart in Martinsville, Virginia, about 17 miles from her home. She never returned. She was first reported missing on Dec. 31, 2001, and her husband was the first person to report her missing that year.
Family timeline and memories of the night she left
At the time of the disappearance, Amanda Smith was 14; her younger brother was almost 8, and their older sister was 19 and already out of the house. Amanda later recalled that on the evening in 2001 her mother kissed the children goodnight and left their house around 8: 30 p. m.
Amanda described her mother as someone who was always there when they got off the bus from school, who cooked their favorite meals and, while not very strict, did not let them get away with everything.
Investigation history, media attention and collaboration across state lines
When Michele was reported missing on Dec. 31, 2001, an extensive investigation was immediately launched. Investigators pursued numerous leads and collaborated with multiple agencies across North Carolina and Virginia as the case remained open for more than two decades.
The case received renewed attention in December 2020 when it was featured on a cold-case broadcast and Amanda spoke publicly about her experience. At that time Amanda said, "I was just a teenager at the time and didn’t really know what to do. " She also said her father believed Michele had simply taken off that night and that she could not rule that possibility out.
Amanda Smith’s response and the family’s privacy request
Six years after that interview, Amanda received news that her mother had been located alive. Amanda wrote that the last couple of days had been "a whirlwind of emotions" and that she was "ecstatic, I am pissed, I am heartbroken, I am all over the map!" She questioned whether a relationship with her mother could be rebuilt and said she would have many questions, but added, "She’s still my mother. I would accept her back. I want her to know that. And I would just be happy that she’s alive. "
Amanda thanked the community for its concern, support and kindness and said the family needs time and respect as they process the news. She also indicated she would likely change the name of the "Bring Michele Hundley Smith Home" page and use it as a platform to help other families of missing people.
What officials have declined to say and next steps
Michele’s family was notified that she had been located and were informed about her request to keep her current whereabouts undisclosed. At Michele’s request, her current location will remain undisclosed. The sheriff’s office did not provide any information as to why Michele went missing.
