Tracey Smith, 57, was last seen leaving her home in Stokesley, North Yorkshire, on July 24, driving a black Fiat Panda. Her body was discovered almost a month later in a crashed vehicle down a roadside embankment.
Discovery of the Vehicle
Following a fresh appeal by North Yorkshire Police on Tuesday, a member of the public reported noticing a black vehicle crashed in undergrowth down an embankment on the A172 near the Cleveland Tontine. The driver was found deceased inside.
While formal identification is yet to take place, North Yorkshire Police believe the deceased to be Tracey.
Police Investigation Underway
The A172 was closed for most of Wednesday to allow investigators to examine the scene and recover the vehicle. Due to the location, forensic examination and recovery took longer than usual. The road was expected to reopen later that evening.
A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said: 'Last night (18 August 2026) North Yorkshire Police were called by a member of the public after they noticed a black vehicle had come to rest in undergrowth down an embankment on the A172 at its junction with the A19 near the Cleveland Tontine.'
'Sadly, the sole occupant of the vehicle was found deceased inside. While formal identification is yet to take place, officers believe the deceased to be missing Tracey Smith from the Stokesley area.'
Appeal and Next Steps
'Our thanks go to members of the public who responded to appeals for help to find Tracey, including the person who called in after noticing a vehicle in the undergrowth.'
'An investigation will be carried out to determine how the car came to leave the road. Our thoughts are with Tracey’s family and friends at this very sad time.'
