By Karim Hammam
Orlando resident Dale Smith Jr., 55, was arrested on October 14 and charged with second-degree murder in the 2011 disappearance of his ex-fiancée, Michelle Parker, whose body has never been found. The arrest follows a renewed examination of cell phone data and text messages that contradicted Smith's long-standing account of events.
Dispute aired on television
Smith and Parker, then 40 and 33, appeared on a June 2011 taping of "The People's Court" to settle a dispute over a $5,000 engagement ring Parker allegedly threw from a balcony. The judge ruled both parties responsible and ordered them to split the cost. The episode aired months later, on November 17, 2011 — the day Parker vanished.
Phone data contradicts suspect's story
According to an arrest warrant affidavit unsealed Tuesday, surveillance cameras showed Parker arriving at Smith's building at 3:18 p.m. on November 17. Her phone and Smith's phone left the location together at 4:18 p.m., moving west — opposite the direction Parker needed to travel to pick up her oldest son. A text from Parker's phone to her brother placed her at "Waterford," a local name for the Waterford Lakes shopping center northeast of Smith's home, but phone records show the device never traveled there.
History of domestic violence alleged
The affidavit states Smith has a history of domestic violence. Another former fiancée, Jill Van Mechelen, told detectives Smith manually strangled her during violent episodes and threatened to kill her and her father, saying he would make them disappear. Smith's attorney declined comment Wednesday, citing a court gag order.
