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Published: 2012-05-27 16:55:00
Updated: 2012-05-28 23:22:07

Body found in Cape Fear River belongs to Linden mother


Heather Nicole Smith
Heather Nicole Smith
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The body of a woman was found in the Cape Fear River near Campbellton Landing in Fayetteville Sunday afternoon, police said.

The woman was positively identified Monday as Heather Nicole Smith, 30, of Linden. The cause of death has not been determined and authorities have not said whether they suspect foul play.

Smith was identified by her tattoos and jewelry. It wasn't clear whether she had been reported missing or how long the body was in the river.

Her boyfriend of four years said Smith, a mother of four, was battling a pain pill addiction. Michael Overby, who is also the father of two of Smith's children, said she had been trying to get her life together for her children.

"She loves her kids. She loves them with all her heart," he said. "She was trying her hardest, but she wasn't succeeding."

He said he last saw Smith Thursday night and that nothing seemed out of the ordinary.\

Smith's family members were traveling to North Carolina from Florida Monday to be a part of the investigation.

Overby said they have many of the same questions he does. 

"Hopefully I can find some answers (about) what's going on (and) try to stay strong for my kids," he said.

Fayetteville police responded to the scene, near 1122 Person St., around 1 p.m. Sunday after a 911 caller reported seeing a body floating in the river. Police handed the case over to the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office.

The body was sent to the state Medical Examiner's Office for an autopsy, which will determine how Smith died.


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Thank you larterl for pointing out the obvious fact that the picture is a mugshot and not provided by any family member.

I'm sure it will be a while before anyone knows for sure what happened...if ever. It could very well turn out that no foul play was involved at all. None of us here know anymore than the LEO's at this point.

So sad.

such a sad story; the kids will probably be split up. Not sure why people are blaming the boyfriend for the picture; it looks like a mug shot of some sort, and was probably provided by the police for the story

Well I can't even believe this picture of you. you were a very beautiful woman and had an outgoing personality. I cant understand why the man who said he loved you would try and paint a picture of you like that. Regrdless of what was going on with you, you were a daughter, a mother and a friend. May you rest in Peace....

Pretty pathetic the boyfriend couldn't provide a better picture for her to be remembered/seen in the public eye. Seems to me like he is trying to portray her as an addict so people think badly of her. Her pill addiction has NOTHING to do with this story and could have been left unsaid! So sad. My heart aches for her family and her children. RIP Heather. You will be missed!

Heather i pray that we find some answers as to why this happened and who did it. We are all still in shock and can't believe this. May you rest in peace

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