North Carolina Mom Found Alive 24 Years After Vanishing — Tells Police She Left Voluntarily

A North Carolina woman has been located 24 years after she vanished from her family, telling police she left voluntarily. Her daughter had previously detailed the family turmoil — including alcohol abuse and marital problems — that preceded her mother's disappearance. The case, which had gone cold decades ago, stunned the family who had long feared the worst. The discovery raises complex questions about the intersection of personal autonomy, family responsibility, and the lasting trauma inflicted on children left behind by a parent who chose to disappear.