Florida Mother Vanished After 'People's Court' Taping; Ex-Fiancé Arrested for Murder 15 Years Later

Dale Smith Jr. Arrested for Second-Degree Murder 15 Years After Michelle Parker Vanished on the Day Their Dispute Aired on 'People's Court'

Michelle Parker's ex-fiancé, Dale Smith Jr., has been arrested for murder 15 years after she disappeared.

Dale Smith Jr., 55, was arrested in Orlando, Florida and charged with second-degree murder in the slaying of Michelle Parker, who disappeared in 2011 after their dispute aired on "People's Court." (Credit: Orlando Police Department)

Police in Orlando, Fla., have arrested Michelle Parker's ex-fiancé, a woman who disappeared in 2011 just hours after the couple's dispute aired on "People's Court."

Dale Smith Jr., 55, was arrested Wednesday by the Orlando Police Department on a charge of second-degree murder in Parker's slaying. While her body has not been found, police said, "All evidence points to Dale Smith Jr. as responsible for Michelle's murder."

The arrest comes 15 years after Parker was last seen on Nov. 17, 2011, when she dropped off her twins with Smith.

Parker disappeared the same afternoon that a pre-recorded episode of "The People's Court" aired, showing her and Smith settling a dispute over a $5,000 engagement ring.

Michelle Parker: 6 years after Florida mother's disappearance, ex-fiancé is prime suspect

Dale Smith Jr., 55, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in the murder of his ex-fiancée, Michelle Parker, who disappeared in November 2011 in Orlando, Florida. (Orlando Police Department)

In court, Parker said Smith was "getting very mean and vindictive," adding that "he said he wanted his ring, so I took it, and I threw it at him." Friends of the couple have previously said that the two had a tumultuous relationship.

Parker disappeared after he failed to show up at work. When his brother Dustin texted to ask where he was, he immediately received a reply that said "Waterford". That worried family members, who said Parker never responded with one-word texts.

Michelle Parker disappeared on November 17, 2011, hours after a pre-taped episode of "The People's Court" aired, featuring a dispute with her ex-fiancé, Dale Smith Jr., over a $5,000 engagement ring. His body has never been found. (Orlando Police Department)

His abandoned Hummer was found a few days later near an apartment complex west of the Mall at Millenia, and the sign advertising his Tanning Business business was removed from his car. Parker's iPhone was found by a dive team in a lake about four miles from his home.

Listen to the new Crime and Justice with Donna Rotono podcast

Police had considered Smith as the prime suspect for years but did not have enough evidence to arrest him. Police said the break came after "years of investigative work and a renewed, focused effort over the past year," crediting an "extensive investigative team" that re-examined evidence and used advances in digital forensics.

Dale Smith Jr., 55, is escorted by law enforcement officers after being arrested in connection with the disappearance and possible murder of his ex-fiancee, Michelle Parker, in Orlando, Florida in 2011 (Orlando Police Dept.)

Detective Phil McMeekin said during a news conference Wednesday that Smith has been interviewed by police multiple times.

"The suspect was interviewed more than once and has since participated in depositions related to this case, and over the years he has been asked specific questions to which he has given different answers," McMeekin said.

The hottest stories from the headlines, from crime to court, legal and scandal.