Overview
- Authorities said investigators received new information on February 19 and reached Smith on February 20, verifying her wellbeing.
- According to the sheriff’s office, Smith asked that her location and details of her current life not be disclosed and that she not be contacted.
- Smith disappeared in December 2001 after leaving home in Eden for Christmas shopping, leaving three children who were 19, 14, and 7 at the time.
- Relatives expressed mixed emotions, with cousin Barbara Byrd describing relief and daughter Amanda posting about joy, anger, and uncertainty on the family’s search page.
- Key questions remain unresolved, including reports she led a “double life” and the fate of the 1995 dark green Pontiac Trans Sport last seen with her, despite years of investigation that included the FBI.