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In 2011, Michelle Parker, an Orlando mother of three, appeared on the TV show “The People’s Court” over an engagement ring dispute with her ex-fiancé. Hours later, she went missing - and has never been found.
On Wednesday, her former partner Dale Smith Jr. was charged with second-degree murder in connection with Parker’s disappearance, the Orlando Police Department confirmed.
Smith Jr., 55, was arrested at his business after a review of the case, including advances in digital forensics, helped uncover additional evidence.
Her ex, who has denied involvement in Parker’s disappearance, was considered a prime suspect for years and was the last person to see her alive.
“While Michelle has not yet been located, all evidence leads to Dale Smith Jr as the person responsible for Michelle’s murder,” the police said.
‘Pretty malicious and vindictive’
Parker was last seen on November 17, 2011, after dropping off the couple’s three-year-old twins at Smith’s home. She was expected to run errands before going to her job as a bartender but never arrived.
Her Hummer SUV was found abandoned the following day, with the decal for her tanning business scraped off its window. Her cellphone was recovered from a lake several weeks later but searches failed to locate Parker.
Hours before she disappeared, a prerecorded episode of “The People’s Court” aired featuring the former couple who wanted to settle a dispute over a $5,000 engagement ring.
During the episode, Parker said Smith was someone who “gets pretty malicious and vindictive.”
“He said that he wanted his ring, so I took it off, and I threw it at him,” she said.
Unanswered questions
Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith said investigators expanded the team working on the case over the past year, reexamining testimony, conflicting statements and evidence collected in 2011.
Detective Phillip McMican said investigators had questioned Smith multiple times over the years and received different answers to the same questions.
Advances in digital forensics also allowed investigators to better analyze evidence from vehicles, phones, computers and other electronic devices.
“We were able to better interpret that evidence today than what we were able to do back in 2011,” McMican said at a news conference Wednesday.
Police declined to release further details about the evidence, citing the need to “protect the integrity of this case.”
Chief Smith said that although many of the original investigators have since retired, efforts to solve the case never stopped.
“These are all full-time homicide detectives. They’re working a full homicide load," Smith said at the news conference. “With the less number of homicides that we’re working right now, in a little bit of a drop in violent crime that freed them up to do what they need to do, to really take the time to look at this case and bring closure to the family.”
State Attorney Monique H. Worrell said prosecutors could upgrade the charge to first-degree murder if the evidence warrants it.
Family reacts
Parker’s twins are now 18 years old, and her eldest child is 26.
The late woman’s mother, Yvonne Stewart, was informed in person about Dale Smith’s arrest.
“It’s like the happiest day because she deserves this,” Stewart told WESH 2 Orlando.
Stewart said she held on to hope for answers, even as the years passed.
“I just knew that one day everything dark would come into the light,” Stewart said. “And it’s been hard, let me tell you. It’s not easy to lose a child this way. And her children didn’t deserve to lose a mother this way.”
Parker’s stepmother, Gayle Shabronsky Parker, added, according to NBC News: “We have been praying since day 1 for answers and closure. We are pleased that karma has finally captured Dale.”
“We look forward to a conviction as the justice Michelle deserves. Also hoping that we will finally be lead to finding her to allow her to rest in peace,” Parker said.
