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Michelle Parker disappearance: Police make arrest | Full press conference
The Orlando Police Department has made an arrest in connection to the disappearance of Michelle Parker, an Orlando mom who disappeared on Nov. 17, 2011 – nearly 15 years ago. Police said Parker's ex-fiance, Dale Smith Jr., was arrested early Wednesday morning under suspicion of second-degree murder in Parker's presumed death. Smith has long been considered a suspect in Parker's disappearance
ORLANDO, Fla - The Orlando Police Department has made an arrest in connection to the disappearance of Michelle Parker, an Orlando mom who went missing on Nov. 17, 2011 – nearly 15 years ago.
Michelle Parker's ex-fiancé' arrested in her disappearance, death
What we know:
Dale Smith Jr., Parker's ex-fiancé, was arrested early Wednesday morning under suspicion of second-degree murder in Parker's presumed death, the Orlando Police Department said. Smith had long been considered a suspect in Parker's disappearance. However, until now, he had not been arrested or charged.
Police said Smith Jr. was the last person to see or hear from Parker in 2011, when she dropped their kids off at his house.
Dale Smith Jr. was arrested on a charge of second-degree murder connected to the disappearance of Michelle Parker, police said. Credit: Orlando Police Department
He had denied being involved in her disappearance.
Chief: New evidence, advances in digital forensics led to arrest
What they're saying:
Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith said advances in digital forensics and a review of the case helped lead to Smith Jr.'s arrest.
"Smith was the last known person to see or hear from Michelle on Nov. 17, 2011, after she dropped their children off at his home. Over the past year, we've expanded our investigative team looking into this case and took a fresh-focused look at all of the evidence. We re-examined testimony and conflicting statements made by the suspect and used advances in digital forensics to uncover and analyze additional evidence. This case never stopped being a priority. Our detectives kept working. They kept asking questions. They kept examining the evidence," he said.
New evidence found within the last year
One of the lead detectives also spoke during the press conference. He said new evidence had been collected within the last year, and said old evidence and data were being reexamined using new technologies and advancements in digital forensics.
"We were able to better interpret that data today," he said, specifically mentioning better location data and communications between devices used in 2011.
Timeline: Michelle Parker disappearance
Timeline:
Nearly 15 years after Michelle Parker vanished in Orlando, the case has spanned years of searches, renewed appeals and unanswered questions before a major breakthrough in 2026.
Nov. 17, 2011: Michelle Parker, 33, disappeared after dropping off her 3-year-old twins at the Orlando home of their father and her former fiancé, Dale Smith Jr. Parker was supposed to go to work that evening but never arrived. The same day, an episode of The People's Court featuring Parker and Smith in a dispute over an engagement ring aired.
Nov. 18, 2011: Police found Parker's black Hummer abandoned near Walden Circle in southwest Orlando. Her cellphone was later recovered from a lake south of Orlando, but Parker was not found.
2011: Orlando police identified Smith as the only suspect in Parker's disappearance. He was not charged at the time.
2012-2022: Parker's family continued pressing for answers as police investigated the case. Her mother, Yvonne Stewart, also fought for access to Parker's twins after Smith obtained custody. In 2022, an anonymous donor offered a $200,000 reward for information leading to an arrest or Parker's whereabouts.
Aug. 16, 2023: Orlando police searched property belonging to Smith's father, focusing on an area beneath a concrete slab. Investigators reported finding no remains.
Nov. 17, 2025: On the 14th anniversary of Parker's disappearance, her family continued appealing for answers. Parker had still not been found.
2025-2026: Orlando police expanded the investigative team, reexamined witness statements and evidence and used advances in digital forensics to revisit information collected in 2011, including data from cellphones, computers and cameras.
Oct. 14, 2026: Nearly 15 years after Parker disappeared, Orlando police arrested Smith on suspicion of second-degree murder. Police said he was the last known person to see or hear from Parker. Investigators credited a renewed review of the case and advances in digital forensics with helping develop the case against him. Parker's remains had not been recovered.
You can read a more detailed timeline of Parker's disappearance here.
Key players: Michelle Parker disappearance
Big picture view:
Several people have played key roles in the nearly 15-year investigation into Michelle Parker's disappearance and presumed death.
Michelle Parker: Orlando mother who disappeared in 2011 and has never been found.
Dale Smith Jr.: Parker's former fiancé and longtime suspect, arrested in 2026 on suspicion of second-degree murder.
Yvonne Stewart: Parker's mother and longtime advocate for answers.
Lauren Erickson: Parker's sister and one of the last relatives to see her.
Brad and Gayle Parker: Parker's father and stepmother, who have publicly sought answers.
Dale Smith Sr.: Smith Jr.'s father, whose property police searched in 2023.
Paul Rooney: Orlando police chief when Parker disappeared.
John Mina: Orlando police chief from 2014 to 2018.
Orlando Rolon: Orlando police chief from 2018 to 2022.
Eric Smith: Orlando police chief who announced Smith Jr.'s 2026 arrest.
You can read a more detailed description of the key players in the disappearance of Michelle Parker here.
The Source: This story uses information gathered from the Orlando Police Department and previous reporting by FOX 35.