A body believed to be that of missing Stokesley woman Tracey Smith has been found in a car which had left the road and come to rest down an embankment.
North Yorkshire Police were called on Tuesday night, August 18, after a member of the public spotted a black vehicle in undergrowth off the A172 at its junction with the A19, near the Cleveland Tontine.
Sadly, the sole occupant of the vehicle was found dead inside.
Formal identification has yet to take place, but police believe the deceased is 57-year-old Tracey, who had been missing from the Stokesley area since July 24.
Police had issued a number of appeals to find Tracey and her black Fiat Panda, with officers recently asking walkers, runners, cyclists and other people using the countryside around the North York Moors and Cleveland Hills to look out for the vehicle.
The A172 was closed following the discovery and remained shut for most of Wednesday while investigators examined the scene and the vehicle was recovered.
Police said the location of the car meant forensic examination and recovery took longer than usual.
The road was expected to reopen on Wednesday evening.
An investigation will now be carried out to establish how the vehicle came to leave the road.
North Yorkshire Police thanked members of the public who responded to appeals to find Tracey, including the person who spotted the vehicle in the undergrowth and contacted officers.
The force said: “Our thoughts are with Tracey’s family and friends at this very sad time.”
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