STATESVILLE, N.C. – Police have ruled a local woman’s death as accidental. 33-year-old Shelbie Smith was found dead inside her home on June 1, 2024. Statesville Police and the SBI investigated and collected multiple items from the home for testing. On Friday, November 8, 2024, the department announced that a pathologist ruled Smith’s death as accidental.
On the morning of June 1, officers responded to a report of a missing 4-year-old child from 521 Hickory Avenue. A concerned citizen had found the child on nearby Wilson Lee Boulevard and when they brought the child home, the citizen found Smith unresponsive inside the home.
The Statesville Police say that out of respect for the privacy of Ms. Smith’s family, they will not release more details about the case. They say, “We extend our heartfelt sympathies to Ms. Smith’s family and loved ones during this challenging time and kindly ask the community to respect their privacy.”
