North Carolina Woman Reunites with Daughter After 24 Years

A woman from North Carolina who vanished over two decades ago had an emotional reunion with her daughter on Thursday. Michelle Hundley Smith, who resurfaced alive earlier this year, appeared in court in Rockingham County related to a DWI charge from November 2001.

After her court appearance, Smith was seen rushing outside to embrace her daughter, Amanda Hundley. It’s been a long 24 years since the 63-year-old disappeared, leaving behind her husband and three children.

“Amanda?” she called out, clearly taken aback. “Your hair was never this long. We were walking right by you. I didn’t recognize you.”

Smith was located at an undisclosed site in North Carolina on February 20. This followed detectives receiving new leads regarding her long-missing case, as confirmed by the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Sam Page mentioned that Smith revealed to investigators that she left her family voluntarily, mentioning “ongoing domestic issues” as the reason for her disappearance. However, no details were provided, and there’s no indication of any foul play.

Smith was last seen in December 2001 when she headed out for Christmas shopping in Virginia, leaving her children, including one who was hospitalized at the time. Her husband reported her missing, but despite an extensive search by local, state, and federal agencies, she remained unaccounted for for 24 years.

Upon her recent discovery, Smith shared with media that she aims to reconnect with her family. “My daughter has forgiven me. We are in touch, so please leave me alone,” she reportedly stated.

Neighbors mentioned that she had been living alone in a rural trailer close to the South Carolina border for years. After her DWI charge from 2001, which had resulted in a warrant due to her failure to appear in court, Smith was taken into custody on February 25, 2026, and later released after posting bail. Her next court date is set for April 23.