A BODY has been found in a crashed car hidden in undergrowth amid the search for a woman who vanished almost a month ago.
Tracey Smith, 57, was last seen on July 24 driving her black Fiat Panda away from her home in Stokesley, North Yorkshire.
Police believe the body of Tracey Smith has been found after she vanished on July 24 Credit: North Yorkshire Police
Police appealed for the public to look out for Tracey’s black Fiat Panda Credit: Jam Press/North Yorkshire Police
Earlier this week, police urged runners, cyclists and hikers to look out for Tracey’s car as they believed it could be in a remote area.
Following the appeal, a member of the public called to say they had noticed a black vehicle in the undergrowth down an embankment on the A172 near Cleveland Tontine.
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Police scrambled to the scene and the vehicle’s driver was found dead inside.
While formal identification is yet to take place, North Yorkshire Police believe the body to be Tracey.
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The road was closed for most of the day while investigators and forensics examined the scene.
An investigation has been launched to determine how the car left the road.
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 remained 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.”
