Dale Smith Jr. has been arrested in the cold case murder of his ex-fiancee, Michelle Parker, who disappeared in 2011, Orlando Police said in a statement on October 14, 2026.
“This arrest follows years of investigative work and a renewed, focused effort over the past year. An expanded investigative team reexamined evidence and used advances in digital forensics to uncover and analyze additional evidence that moved this case forward,” Orlando Police said. “While Michelle has not yet been located, all evidence leads to Dale Smith Jr as the person responsible for Michelle’s murder. We will continue pursuing justice for Michelle, her family, and every victim we serve.”
Parker was 33 at the time she went missing. According to WFTV, Smith, now 55, has been the prime suspect since the investigation began more than 15 years ago.
Michelle Parker Disappeared After She & Dale Smith Jr. Appeared on ‘The People’s Court’ TV Show
According to The Associated Press, Parker disappeared on November 11, 2011, the same day her appearance alongside Smith on “The People’s Court” aired on TV. Smith had sued Parker over a $5,000 engagement ring he bought for her, according to the episode. The ring was lost when she threw it at him during an argument, he claimed on the show.
Judge Marilyn Milian ruled that both parties were responsible for the ring going missing and ordered Parker to pay Smith $2,500 for half its value.
Parker dropped their 3-year-old twins off at Smith’s condo before she vanished, according to WESH. Smith was the last person to see her, police said. Parker’s Hummer was found in a parking lot in Orlando on November 18, 2011, and her iPhone was located by divers under an Orange County bridge a month later, the news station reported.
Orlando Police ‘Took a Fresh, Focused Look at All the Evidence’ in the Case Over the Past Year
At a press conference announcing Smith’s arrest, Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith (no relation) said, “Over the past year, we’ve 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 analyze additional evidence.
Smith added, “This case never stopped being a priority. Our detectives kept working, they kept asking question, they kept examining the evidence.”
The arrest affidavit with details on what led to the arrest has not been made public yet.
Smith Has Pleaded Not Guilty After Making His First Court Appearance
Smith made his first court appearance on the second-degree murder charge in Orange County, Florida, court on October 15, 2026. A judge ordered Smith held without bond.
Smith’s attorney, Rajan Joshi, argued in court that his client should have been granted a bond because the state didn’t meet the presumption of guilt in the 44-page arrest affidavit. Smith pleaded not guilty. His next court appearance, a detention hearing, has not been scheduled.
“Michelle Parker worked at a bar. She was a very attractive young lady,” Joshi told The Associated Press. “They (police) did not go out and investigate other possibilities that could have happened to her. This is one of those cases where they go and they immediately target the usual suspect, which is the ex.”
Dale Smith Jr.: Orlando Police Make Arrest in Michelle Parker Cold Case Murder