Florida Man Arrested for Murder of Ex-Fiancée Who Vanished After TV Court Appearance

A Florida man has been arrested in connection with the 15-year-old cold case of his ex-fiancée, who vanished in 2011 shortly after she and the suspect appeared on the television show "The People's Court."

Dale Smith Jr., 55, was taken into custody Wednesday on a second-degree murder charge in the disappearance of Michelle Parker, the Orlando Police Department announced. Parker, a mother of three, was last seen on November 17, 2011, dropping off her three-year-old twins with Smith, her ex-fiancé.

Hours before her disappearance, Parker and Smith appeared in a prerecorded episode of "The People's Court" where they argued over a missing $5,000 engagement ring. During the televised segment, Parker described Smith as "malicious and vindictive," particularly when drinking.

Parker's body has never been found, but authorities stated that "all evidence" points to Smith being responsible for her murder. Parker's mother, Yvonne Stewart, expressed relief at the arrest, telling WESH 2 News, "It's like the happiest day because she deserves this."

Smith had been considered the primary suspect in Parker's disappearance since the investigation began. Following Parker's vanishing, Smith was granted full custody of their twins and moved away from Orlando with the children.

The Orlando Police Department's Fugitive Unit and SWAT Team apprehended Smith after what they described as "years of investigative work and a renewed, focused effort over the past year." Police Chief Eric D. Smith indicated that investigators re-examined the suspect's statements over the years. Detective Phillip McMican stated that advances in digital forensics and technology, including data from vehicles, phones, and computers, unearthed new evidence offering insight into locations and communications.

One day after Parker disappeared, her car was found abandoned at an apartment complex, its identifying decal scraped off. Her cellphone was later recovered submerged near a bridge.

Smith's attorney, Rajan Joshi, stated that the arrest was unexpected and that his client maintains his innocence. "He maintains his innocence, and we're going to go forward with defending him," Joshi said.

State Attorney Monique H. Worrell, who serves Florida's Ninth Judicial Circuit, indicated that the charge could be elevated to first-degree murder if the evidence supports it. Stewart conveyed hope for justice, telling WESH, "I just knew that one day everything dark would come into the light."