Florida man arrested on murder charge in ex-fiancée's 2011 disappearance

Updated on: October 14, 2026 / 7:55 PM EDT / CBS News

Florida man arrested on murder charge in ex-fiancée's 2011 disappearance

TL;DR

  • Dale Smith Jr. arrested for the 2011 murder of ex-fiancée Michelle Parker.
  • Parker disappeared on the same day a contentious dispute with Smith Jr. over an engagement ring aired on "The People's Court".
  • Smith Jr. was the last known person to see or hear from Parker.
  • Parker's SUV was found abandoned, and her cellphone was recovered.
  • New evidence and advancements in forensic technology, particularly digital forensics, were key to the arrest.
  • Despite Parker not being located, police state all evidence points to Smith Jr. as responsible.