Phone Records: 2011 TV Court Disappearance Solved
Cell tower data and text messages from 15 years ago led to the murder charge against Dale Smith Jr. for the death of Michelle Parker.
By Jabari Long ·
Court records released Tuesday revealed that a new analysis of cell phone data and text messages identified the last known location of a woman who vanished in 2011. The digital trail contradicted the timeline provided by her ex-fiancé, leading to his arrest this month.
The timeline of events began in June 2011, when Dale Smith Jr. and Michelle Parker appeared on the taping of The People's Court in Orlando. They sought to resolve a dispute over a $5,000 engagement ring that Parker allegedly threw from a balcony. The judge ruled both parties responsible for the damage and ordered them to split the cost. The pair shared custody of twin children at the time.
Parker was last seen alive on November 17, 2011. Smith told investigators that she dropped the children at his home that afternoon and left about 10 minutes later. However, surveillance footage showed her Hummer remaining at his residence for at least one hour. Parked from approximately 3:18 p.m. to 4:18 p.m., the vehicle contradicted Smith's account of a quick departure.
The affidavit noted that both phones left the location at 4:18 p.m. By 4:32 p.m., the devices were traveling west. This direction conflicted with Parker's stated plan to travel north to pick up her oldest son. Her brother, Dustin Erickson, texted her that afternoon to ask for her location. Her phone automatically replied with the word Waterford, a local name for a shopping center 12 miles northeast of Smith's home. The records showed her phone never traveled east or north toward that mall.
Smith claimed he did not know where Parker went after she dropped off the children. He told police he believed she was laying low after the court episode aired. The affidavit stated that Smith never called or messaged Parker after November 17, 2011. Police noted a history of domestic violence involving Smith. An ex-fiancée named Jill Van Mechelen stated that Smith strangled her and threatened to kill her and her father to make them disappear.
Smith, 55, was taken into custody on October 14. He faces a second-degree murder charge. Parker, 33, has never been found. Her brother said she had no reason to lie to him about her location. Smith's attorney declined to comment on Wednesday due to a court gag order.
