Ex-Fiancé Charged with Murder in Disappearance Case Linked to 'The People's Court'
Dale Smith Jr., a 55-year-old Orlando resident, has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder in the case of Michelle Parker's disappearance.
Dale Smith Jr., a 55-year-old Orlando resident, has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder in the case of Michelle Parker's disappearance, which gained national attention due to her involvement in a legal dispute on 'The People's Court'. The charge comes after a review of new evidence, including phone data, that suggests a different path taken by Parker following her last known sighting.
Michelle Parker, 33 years old, was last seen alive on November 17, 2011, the same day she and Smith appeared on 'The People's Court' to resolve a dispute over a $5,000 engagement ring. According to reports, Parker left Smith's home approximately ten minutes after dropping off their twins, with surveillance cameras capturing her car at his residence for at least an hour. However, Parker's phone data indicates she traveled westward instead of north toward the Waterford Lakes shopping center as initially thought.
This new evidence, combined with Smith's history of domestic violence, including instances of manual choking and threats to kill previous partners, has led to the recent arrest. Despite extensive searches, Michelle Parker's body has reportedly not been found, adding to the mystery surrounding her disappearance.
What we know
- - Dale Smith Jr. is accused of murdering Michelle Parker. 12
- - Smith was arrested and charged with second-degree murder. 1
- - Parker was last seen alive on Nov. 17, 2011. 1
- - Parker's body has not been found. 1
- - Parker was murdered in 2011. 2
- - New evidence has been discovered in the case. 2
- - Parker and Smith appeared on 'The People's Court' on Nov. 17, 2011. 1
- - Parker left Smith's home around 10 minutes after dropping off their twins. 1
- - Surveillance cameras showed Parker's car at Smith's residence for at least an hour. 1
- - Parker's phone indicated she traveled west instead of north. 1
- - Smith has a history of domestic violence. 1
Verification report
Likely accurate — probability of truth 72%, weighted across 11 claims from 2 independent outlets.
- confirmed Dale Smith Jr. is accused of murdering Michelle Parker. (85%)
- likely Dale Smith Jr., a 55-year-old Orlando resident, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder. (71%)
- likely Michelle Parker, 33 years old, was last seen alive on Nov. 17, 2011. (71%)
- likely Michelle Parker's body has not been found. (71%)
- likely Michelle Parker was murdered in 2011. (71%)
- likely New evidence has been discovered in the case of Michelle Parker's murder. (71%)
- likely Parker and Smith appeared for a taping of 'The People's Court' on Nov. 17, 2011, to resolve a dispute over a $5,000 engagement ring. (71%)
- likely After the taping, Parker left Smith's home around 10 minutes after dropping off their twins. (71%)
- likely Surveillance cameras showed Parker's car at Smith's residence for at least an hour. (71%)
- likely Parker's phone indicated she traveled west instead of north towards the Waterford Lakes shopping center as planned. (71%)
- likely Smith has a history of domestic violence, including manual choking and threatening to kill previous partners. (71%)
Sources
- NBC News U.S. — Ex-fiancé in ‘The People’s Court’ disappearance charged with murder after phone data review
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/exts-phone-data-leads-murder-charge-2011-peoples-court-disappearance-rcna606187 - CBS News Crime — New evidence emerges in "The People's Court" murder trial
https://www.cbsnews.com/video/new-evidence-emerges-in-the-peoples-court-murder-trial/