Orlando man charged with 2011 murder after phone data review
Surveillance footage and cell records contradict the account of Dale Smith Jr., who was arrested in October for the death of his ex-fiancée.
By Charlotte Dubois ·
Dale Smith Jr. was arrested on Oct. 14 and charged with second-degree murder in the 2011 disappearance of his ex-fiancée, Michelle Parker. Court documents unsealed Tuesday reveal that investigators reviewed cell phone data and text messages to build the case against the 55-year-old Orlando resident. Parker's body has not been found. Smith was 40 and Parker was 33 when she was last seen alive on Nov. 17, 2011. The couple shared custody of twins at the time.
Surveillance footage contradicts Smith's initial account of the day. He told police that Parker dropped the children at his home and left about 10 minutes later. However, cameras showed Parker's Hummer remaining at Smith's residence for at least one hour. The footage indicates she arrived at his building at 3:18 p.m. and both phones left the home at 4:18 p.m.
Phone location data further undermined Smith's story. By 4:32 p.m., records showed both phones moving west. Parker had planned to travel north to pick up her oldest son. Her brother, Dustin Erickson, texted her that afternoon asking for her location. Her phone replied with the word Waterford, a local reference to the Waterford Lakes Town Center mall about 12 miles northeast of Smith's home. The affidavit states her phone never traveled east or north toward that destination.
Smith previously claimed he believed Parker was hiding after their appearance on The People's Court. The episode, filmed in June 2011, aired later that year. It depicted a dispute over a $5,000 engagement ring Parker allegedly threw from a balcony. The judge ordered both parties to split the $5,000 damage. Smith told investigators he never called or messaged Parker after Nov. 17, 2011, despite his stated desire for her to return home safely for the children.
Police noted a history of domestic violence in Smith's past. Detectives spoke with Jill Van Mechelen, an ex-fiancée Smith knew before meeting Parker. Van Mechelen reported that Smith choked her during episodes of physical violence. The affidavit cites her claim that Smith threatened to kill her and her father on multiple occasions and make them disappear.
Smith's attorney declined comment on Wednesday due to a court gag order. The case remains under active review as authorities continue to search for Parker's remains.
