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A mom vanished after she and her ex-fiancé were on ‘The People’s Court.’ Now he’s accused of murder.
NBC News • • nation
Key Points:
- Dale Smith Jr., 55, was arrested in Orlando on a second-degree murder charge in connection to the 2011 disappearance of his ex-fiancée, Michelle Parker, whose body has not been found.
- Parker vanished hours after appearing with Smith on a prerecorded episode of “The People’s Court,” where they settled a dispute over an engagement ring; Smith was the last person to see her.
- Advances in digital forensics and re-examination of evidence over the past year led to new findings that prompted Smith’s arrest, with police citing conflicting statements and new location and communication data.
- Parker’s family expressed relief and hope after years of uncertainty, with her mother calling the arrest a moment of justice for her daughter and grandchildren.
- State Attorney Monique H. Worrell indicated the charge could be elevated to first-degree murder if further evidence justifies it.
