‘She’s alive’: Family responds after 2001 disappearance of Eden woman takes unexpected turn

EDEN, NC — For 24 yearsBarbara Byrd lived with a query.

Was her cousin gone perpetually, or nonetheless on the market someplace?

On Friday, she bought a solution.

“I kind of want to go outside and scream, ‘she’s alive, she’s alive,’” Byrd mentioned.

The Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Michele Hundley Smithwho disappeared in December 2001 after leaving her Eden dwelling to go Christmas purchasing, has been discovered alive in North Carolina. Deputies say she is secure however, at her request, her location won’t be launched. Officials additionally mentioned no costs are anticipated.

Smith was 38-year-old mom when she vanished. Her car was by no means discovered.

Over the years, her disappearance drew regional and nationwide consideration. In 2021, her daughter spoke with WFMY News 2 about rising up with out solutions, saying the household by no means stopped hoping for info.

Byrd mentioned the uncertainty formed almost a quarter-century of her household’s life.

“For years, we didn’t know if we were grieving or waiting,” she mentioned.

They gave interviews, requested for ideas and stored Smith’s identify within the public eye. Her case was featured on nationwide tv and true crime podcasts. But the central query remained.

What occurred in December 2001?

“My biggest question is to her… what happened all those years ago in December? What made you leave? What happened?” Byrd mentioned.

Learning that her cousin is alive introduced overwhelming aid. But Byrd acknowledged that listening to Michele doesn’t need her location shared provides one other layer of emotion.

“I understand and respect that she doesn’t want any of us to contact her,” Byrd mentioned. “I’m not angry.”

Instead, she mentioned she is selecting gratitude.

“The biggest answer I had today was she was alive. Nothing else matters right at this moment,” she mentioned.

Byrd mentioned she by no means believed her cousin was useless.

“I never thought Michelle was dead. I knew she was alive. It’s just a feeling that I had my whole life,” she mentioned.

Years in the past, Smith’s youngest brother requested Byrd to vow they might discover her. He has since died.

“He asked me to promise that we would find her,” Byrd mentioned. “I’m going to say this out loud, she’s OK, Brian.”

While she respects Smith’s request for privateness, Byrd mentioned she hopes at some point Michele might select to succeed in out, particularly to her brothers and daughters.

“I would love to hear you say I’m OK, but when I’m ready, I’ll talk to you,” Byrd mentioned.

Smith’s daughter, Amanda, advised WFMY News 2 she continues to be processing the information, having solely not too long ago been knowledgeable. She plans to launch a press release within the coming days and thanked those that supported the household over time.

For Byrd, the thriller of 2001 stays unsolved. But after 24 years of not figuring out, one reality now outweighs every part else.

“She’s alive,” she mentioned.