North Yorkshire Police have called off the search for missing Tracey Smith after a body was discovered inside a vehicle that had plunged into undergrowth down an embankment. A member of the public alerted officers after spotting the black car off the A172 at its junction with the A19, near The Cleveland Tontine venue in Staddlebridge.
Police believe body is missing Tracey Smith
Officers believe the sole occupant of the vehicle, who was found dead inside, is missing woman Tracey Smith. Tracey was last seen in the Stokesley area driving away from her home in a black Fiat Panda on Friday, July 24, reports Yorkshire Live.
A police spokesman 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."
Road closed for investigation and vehicle recovery
The force confirmed the road remained shut for the majority of the day due to ongoing enquiries. The spokesman added: "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)."
An investigation will be carried out to determine how the car came to leave the road. The spokesman also expressed gratitude to the public: "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."
Thoughts with family and friends
The police spokesman concluded: "Our thoughts are with Tracey's family and friends at this very sad time." Tracey had not been seen in nearly a month, and the discovery brings a tragic end to the search.
