Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

malaise

(294,850 posts)
Tue Feb 24, 2026, 12:59 PM 13 hrs ago

Damn! Missing North Carolina woman found 'alive and well' after 24 years

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/24/north-carolina-missing-woman-found

Daughter was ‘heartbroken’ after Michelle Hundley Smith requested her location not be disclosed to family she had walked away from

One of the first things she described was relief that her father “had been proven innocent” of accusations that he somehow “was involved” in Michelle’s disappearance. She also wrote about her parents having marital issues – though, without elaborating, she made it a point to say, “My mom did not leave simply [because] of a bad marriage.”

She continued: “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.”

Then, after acknowledging her complex emotions about the closure of her mother’s missing persons case, Amanda wrote that she “can absolutely understand [someone] taking off and leaving” after “everything” with which she has dealt in her own life.
———-
No words



11 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Damn! Missing North Carolina woman found 'alive and well' after 24 years (Original Post) malaise 13 hrs ago OP
Sometimes you have to do what you need to for your own sanity. Srkdqltr 13 hrs ago #1
That's why I said no words malaise 13 hrs ago #2
Good... but also not good? Torchlight 13 hrs ago #3
She probably met some guy on AOL and took off dalton99a 13 hrs ago #4
Hmm... 2naSalit 13 hrs ago #5
Wow! malaise 13 hrs ago #6
I think it made... 2naSalit 13 hrs ago #8
For good malaise 13 hrs ago #9
Yes, We don't know what kind of abuse the woman suffered. n/t Jacson6 13 hrs ago #7
I have mixed emotions about this MustLoveBeagles 12 hrs ago #10
That daughter expresses a good attitude and values lostnfound 10 hrs ago #11

malaise

(294,850 posts)
2. That's why I said no words
Tue Feb 24, 2026, 01:07 PM
13 hrs ago

Who am I to judge - I don’t know what she was facing when she left.

Torchlight

(6,636 posts)
3. Good... but also not good?
Tue Feb 24, 2026, 01:09 PM
13 hrs ago

The daughter appears to be handling a surprise of this nature a lot damn better than I think I ever would.

2naSalit

(101,567 posts)
5. Hmm...
Tue Feb 24, 2026, 01:27 PM
13 hrs ago

When I was nine, my mom left my dad, all by herself, walked away from six kids, some pretty young. I never blamed her, my dad was brutal, took it out on us afterward. They both had issues not related to their messy marriage as well but they were the only parents I had. I spent seven years finding my mother and made her take us away from my dad, most of us were still minors.

I know why she left and used it as my standard for when it's time to leave a bad relationship however I may decide to leave it. It also taught me to use multiple perspectives before making important decisions that could have lasting impacts. I get the feeling this lady understands why her mother left and why she never looked back.

lostnfound

(17,466 posts)
11. That daughter expresses a good attitude and values
Tue Feb 24, 2026, 04:23 PM
10 hrs ago

She exhibits maturity and kindness.

“I am not saying she gets off scot-free without accountability or responsibility [because] she absolutely needs to do that,” Amanda continued. “What I am saying is … please remember that each one of us have made mistakes in life, each one of us has hurt souls [whether] intentional or not.

“Please remember that each one of us has done things that we are not proud of.”

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Damn! Missing North Caro...