Left: Dale Smith (Orange County Jail). Right: Michelle Parker (Orlando Police).
A Florida man has been arrested nearly 15 years after his former fiancée vanished shortly after the pair appeared on “The People’s Court” in a dispute involving a $5,000 engagement ring.
Michelle Parker, 33, disappeared on Nov. 17, 2011, after dropping off her twins at the Orlando home of her former fiancé, Dale Smith Jr. Police had long considered Smith a suspect, but he remained free until Wednesday.
Smith, now 55, was arrested on a second-degree murder charge, the Orlando Police Department 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 news 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.”
Detective Phil McMican said technological advances unavailable when Parker disappeared played a central role in the arrest. Investigators reviewed location data from phones and other electronic devices, as well as Smith’s inconsistent statements during depositions in a related 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.
Police uncovered several important clues in the days and weeks after Parker vanished, but they found no trace of her.
Her Hummer was discovered in a parking lot a short distance from where she disappeared. Weeks later, investigators found her cellphone beneath a bridge.
Parker and Smith had planned to marry, but their engagement ended after a series of arguments. Smith later sued her, claiming she had thrown his engagement ring from a ninth-story hotel balcony during a convention in Georgia. He ran downstairs to search for the ring but never found it.
The former couple appeared on an episode of “The People’s Court,” in which Judge Marilyn Milian ordered Parker to pay Smith $2,500. The episode aired on the day Parker disappeared. During the broadcast, Parker accused Smith of physical abuse and infidelity. She said she had tried to preserve the relationship for the sake of their 3-year-old twins, but the couple ultimately could not reconcile.
Parker’s body has never been found.
Police arrested Smith on Wednesday. He is being held without bond at the Orange County Jail.
“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 did not release further information, saying additional details are expected to emerge in a probable-cause arrest affidavit and during future court proceedings.