A US woman found alive and well after vanishing 24 years ago has opened up about why she decided to leave her family.
In December 2001 Michelle Hundley Smith vanished after telling family members she was going Christmas shopping in Martinsville, Virginia, leaving behind a partner and three children.
The 38-year-old mother was later reported to the police by her husband, sparking a decades-long search across Virginia and her home state of North Carolina.
However an astonishing new update in the case has revealed that Michelle is not only alive, but living an entirely new life after being tracked down by authorities earlier this month.
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So what happened – and why did Michelle decide to walk away from her entire life all those years ago?
Missing US woman claims she left family due to 'domestic issues'
Rockingham County Sheriff's Office has since released further information about the Michelle's disappearance, stating the now 62-year-old decided to walk out on her family due to alleged 'domestic issues'.
"She was in good health," Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page explained in a new interview with PEOPLE.
"Let me just say there were no allegations of any foul play regarding to her leaving... But according to Ms. Smith, she said she left... due to ongoing domestic issues at the time."
Sheriff Page said Michelle declined to discuss the allegations further but noted that his office did not have any records which suggested there had been a reported domestic incident involving the family prior to her leaving.
Police also noted that Michelle had requested for her location not to be passed onto her family but acknowledged that her relatives at least had 'closure' over the case.
"They know she's okay," he added.
Following the update, one of Michelle's daughter shared her reaction to the news and revealed whether or not she would be able to forgive her mother.
Revealing her thoughts in a lengthy post shared to the 'Bring Michele Hundley Smith Home' Facebook page, Amanda Smith explained that she had gone through a 'whirlwind of emotions' in the past couple of days.
"I appreciate everyone's love and support. The personal details are not going to be dived [sic] into right now but I will say that my mother chose her new life and we know she is alive, and for now that is enough," she explained.
"I can't really think straight right now to make a heartfelt post but again, thank you all."
In a separate post, Amanda went on to address speculation about why her mother may have left, acknowledging that her parents had a strained marriage.
"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) … my mom did not leave simply [because] of a bad marriage," she wrote.
"Everyone is entitled their opinions but please remember that my father has been proven innocent. 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 superhero in my eyes and he ALWAYS will be."
Topics: US News
Brenna Cooper