Mother of man found dead speaks about her son

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Investigators are still searching for answers to the mysterious death of Michael Smith… and so is Smith’s family.

“He said, ‘mom, I love you.’ And I said, ‘I love you, son. Be careful, drive safe, buckle up, lock your doors. The standard things you would do a two year old. And he said, ‘I’ll do it, mom. I’ll do it.’ Somebody took my baby from me.” That was the last conversation Carol Gregory had with her son Michael Smith.

Smith’s dead body was found in a car Thursday in the Monkey Junction Blockbuster parking lot.

He was born and raised in Wilmington and graduated from Hoggard High School in 1995. Smith went off to college at Appalachian State, then moved back to the Port City. Gregory said her son loved life, his family, working with his hands and animals.

“He was happy. He was friendly. He didn’t meet a stranger. He had an infectious personality. He wasn’t perfect; he was my baby though,” remembered Gregory.

Gregory said her son had fallen on hard times because of the economy but was working to get his life on the right track and make his friends and family proud. Smith had a serious girlfriend who had a son, and Gregory said Smith loved her and the little boy with all his heart.

His mom wants justice, and she’s begging anyone with any information about where her son was or who he was with before he died to speak up. “I pray that somebody will please have mercy. Please have mercy on me and Michael, and please help find who did this to my son.”

Gregory said the hole in her heart in unexplainable, but she has hope that an answer is on the horizon.

Smith’s viewing is set for Monday at noon at Andrews Mortuary: Valley Chapel. His funeral is scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday at Oleander Gardens.

Smith’s mom asked that all donations in Michael’s name be made to Paw’s Place in Brunswick County.