Body of Stokesley woman found almost a month after she vanished as police launch investigation

The A172 was closed for the majority of Wednesday as officers examined the scene following the discovery of a body, believed to be Tracey Smith, in a crashed car

The body of a missing woman has been found in a crashed car down a roadside embankment.

Tracey Smith, 57, vanished on July 24 after she was last seen leaving her home in Stokesley, North Yorkshire, driving a black Fiat Panda. Police launched a search effort to locate Tracey but almost a month later the search has come to a tragic end.

However, following North Yorkshire Police’s latest appeal on Tuesday, a member of the public called to say they had noticed a black vehicle crashed in undergrowth down an embankment on the A172 near the Cleveland Tontine.

The vehicle’s driver was tragically found dead inside and while formal identification is yet to take place but North Yorkshire Police believe the deceased to be Tracey.

An update from North Yorkshire Police yesterday confirmed an investigation is underway.

A spokesperson for the force 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.

“The road was closed and remain closed for most of the day. This was to allow investigators to examine the scene and to recover the vehicle. Due to the location of the vehicle, forensic examination and recovery took longer than usual. The road is expected to reopen later this evening (19 August).

“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.”