Michelle Lynn Howard was 32 when she vanished from Atlantic City and was later found dead in Hamilton Township’s Mizpah neighborhood. Family last saw her at about 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 24, 2001. Her body was discovered by horseback riders on November 26, 2001, on the side of Estelle Avenue, roughly a quarter-mile from Route 40 — an area she was not known to frequent, which led family and investigators to conclude she was likely killed elsewhere and her body moved.

She was found unclothed except for a white bra. The autopsy recorded asphyxia associated with aspiration of gastric contents and multiple blunt force injuries to the head, neck, and torso. The death was ruled a homicide. No arrests or publicly identified suspects have been announced, and Atlantic County investigators have continued to seek tips.

If anyone knew Michelle, saw her in Atlantic City the weekend of November 24–26, 2001, or has information about activity near Estelle Avenue or Route 40 at that time, law enforcement wants to hear from you.