Florida man charged in ex-fiancee's 2011 disappearance

Orlando police announced the arrest of Dale Smith Jr., 55, on a second-degree murder charge in the disappearance of his former fiancee, Michelle Parker, nearly 15 years earlier. The Seattle Times and CNN reported that police announced the arrest Wednesday. Parker, who was 33 when she disappeared, has not been found, and police continue to search for her body. [ 1 , 2 ]

Parker vanished on November 17, 2011, hours after a recorded episode of “The People's Court” featuring her and Smith was broadcast, the outlets reported. Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith said Dale Smith was the last known person to see or hear from her, when she dropped their children off at his home. The police chief is not related to the suspect. [ 1 , 2 ]

The chief said investigators expanded their team over the past year and reexamined testimony and conflicting statements by the suspect. Detective Phillip McMican said police had collected new evidence and used technological advances to obtain new insights into older material. He said investigators could now better interpret evidence from vehicles, electronic devices, phones and computers than in 2011. Police disclosed few specifics about the evidence against Smith. [ 1 , 2 ]

The Seattle Times reported that attorney Rajan Joshi challenged whether prosecutors could meet their burden of proof using the information in the criminal complaint. A judge ordered Smith held without bond pending a detention hearing, which had not immediately been scheduled. CNN's account said his initial appearance was scheduled for Thursday afternoon and court records did not immediately identify an attorney. [ 1 , 2 ]

CNN reported that Parker's vehicle was found abandoned a day after her disappearance and that her cellphone was later recovered from an Orlando-area lake. Investigators had not publicly stated a motive, the outlet said. Police said the evidence pointed to Smith as responsible for her death. [ 2 ]