Dale Smith Jr. charged with 2011 murder after new phone data review

Dale Smith Jr., a 55-year-old Orlando resident, faces a second-degree murder charge in the 2011 disappearance of his ex-fiancée, Michelle Parker. Police arrested Smith on Oct. 14 after reviewing new cell phone data and text messages. The evidence contradicts his previous account of the day Parker vanished.

Parker was last seen alive on Nov. 17, 2011. She was 33 years old, and Smith was 40. The couple shared custody of twins. Their body has never been found. Court documents unsealed Tuesday detail the timeline of that afternoon based on digital records.

The pair appeared for a taping of the television show “The People’s Court” around 2 p.m. The episode was filmed in June 2011 to resolve a dispute over a $5,000 engagement ring. The judge ordered both parties to split the cost of the damaged ring. Smith told investigators that Parker dropped the children off at his home and left about 10 minutes later.

Surveillance cameras captured Parker’s Hummer at Smith’s residence for at least one hour. Her car arrived at the building at 3:18 p.m. At 4:18 p.m., the phones of both Smith and Parker left the suspect’s home. By 4:32 p.m., the devices moved west. This route conflicted with Parker’s stated plan to travel north to pick up her oldest son.

Parker’s brother, Dustin Erickson, texted her that afternoon asking for her location. Her phone replied with the word “Waterford,” referring to the Waterford Lakes Town Center shopping mall. The mall is located about 12 miles northeast of Smith’s home. The affidavit notes that Parker’s cell phone never traveled east or north toward that shopping center.

Smith previously claimed he did not know where Parker went after dropping off the children. He told investigators he believed she was staying out of sight after the “People’s Court” episode aired. The arrest warrant states that according to his phone records, Smith never called or messaged Parker again after Nov. 17, 2011. Police noted that Smith has a history of domestic violence.

Detectives interviewed Jill Van Mechelen, another of Smith’s ex-fiancées who dated him before Parker. Van Mechelen stated that Smith would choke her during episodes of physical violence. She reported that he threatened to kill her and her father on multiple occasions and said he would make them disappear. Smith’s attorney declined comment on Wednesday, citing a court gag order.