Orlando police arrest Dale Smith, ex-fiancé to missing woman Michelle Parker

Key Points:

• Dale Smith, the former fiancé of missing woman Michelle Parker, was arrested by the Orlando Police Department on a second-degree murder charge nearly 15 years after her disappearance.
• Michelle Parker was last seen on November 17, 2011, after dropping her children off at Smith’s home and appearing on “The People’s Court” in a dispute over an engagement ring.
• The investigation was renewed over the past year, utilizing advanced digital forensics and reexamining old evidence and testimonies, which led to new findings and Smith’s arrest.
• Police Chief Eric Smith highlighted that despite retirements, homicide detectives continued working on the case full-time, taking advantage of a recent drop in violent crime to focus on cold cases.
• State Attorney Monique Worrell stated that prosecutors started with second-degree murder charges but may escalate them as more evidence emerges, praising the collaborative effort between her office and law enforcement.