Dale Smith Jr. Charged With Second-Degree Murder Nearly 15 Years After Michelle Parker Disappeared

Case Update in Michelle Parker Disappearance

Nearly 15 years after Michelle Parker vanished on the same day a pre-recorded episode of The People's Court featuring her and her ex-fiancé aired, the case has taken a major turn. Dale Smith Jr. was arrested on October 14, 2026, and charged with second-degree murder in connection with Parker's disappearance.

Parker, a Florida mother of three, was 33 when her vanishing was reported in November 2011. She allegedly disappeared without a trace after dropping her kids off. Now suspected dead, Michelle's body has never been found, but Orlando police say a renewed investigation has helped investigators uncover additional evidence against Smith.

What happened to Michelle Parker after her People's Court appearance?

Police records reveal that Michelle Parker was last seen on November 17, 2011, after she dropped off her three-year-old twins at her ex-fiancé Smith's home in Orlando. The former couple shared the twins' custody, and Smith was the last known person to see or hear from Parker that day. She was expected to run errands before heading to her evening shift at a bar in Sanford, Florida. However, she never arrived at work.