Left: Dale Smith (Orange County Jail). Right: Michelle Parker (Orlando Police).
A Florida man is behind bars nearly 15 years after his ex-fiancee disappeared following their appearance on “The People”s Court” in a dispute over a $5,000 engagement ring.
Michelle Parker, 33, disappeared on Nov. 17, 2011, after she dropped her twins off at the home of her ex, Dale Smith Jr., in Orlando. While police said they had long considered Smith the culprit, he remained free — until Wednesday.
Smith, now 55, was arrested on a second-degree murder charge, Orlando police announced.
“Smith was the last known person to see or hear from Michelle on Nov. 17, 2011, after she dropped their children off at his home,” Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith told reporters at a press conference. “Over the past year, we expanded our investigative team looking into this case and took a fresh, focused look at all the evidence. We re-examined testimony and conflicting statements made by the suspect and used advanced and digital forensics to uncover and analyze additional evidence.”
Det. Phil McMican said advancements in digital technology that were not available when Parker went missing were key in making the arrest. That included location data on phones and other electronic devices. Investigators also examined the suspect’s inconsistent statements during depositions in a civil case.
“Very specific questions were asked of him numerous times over the years, where he gave different answers to those same questions,” McMican said.
In the days and weeks after she vanished, investigators found key clues but no sign of her.
Investigators recovered her Hummer in a parking lot not far from where she disappeared. They also found her phone under a bridge a few weeks later.
Parker and Smith were set to be married, but the engagement was called off following numerous arguments. Smith sued his ex after alleging she threw her engagement ring off a ninth-story hotel balcony during a convention in Georgia. He rushed downstairs to look for it but could not find it.
The pair appeared on an episode of “The People’s Court,” during which Judge Marilyn Milian ordered her to pay $2,500. It aired on TV the day she went missing. During the episode, Parker accused Smith of being physically abusive and unfaithful to her. She said she tried to stay together for the benefit of their twins who were 3 years old at the time, but the couple was unable to make it work.
Her body has never been recovered.
Police took Smith into custody on Wednesday. He’s in the Orange County Jail without bond.
“In Orlando, we do not back down, and we do not give up. We will continue to pursue justice for every victim and hold those responsible accountable,” Chief Smith said in a statement.
Authorities declined to release additional details about the case, saying more would come out in a probable cause arrest affidavit and future court hearings.
