# Woman Disappears After 'People's Court' Dispute

> Florida man jailed 15 years after ex-fiancee vanished following engagement ring dispute on TV show.
- Title: Woman Disappears After 'People's Court' Dispute · Law & Crime
- Summary: Florida man jailed 15 years after ex-fiancee vanished following engagement ring dispute on TV show. Michelle Parker disappeared after appearing on 'The…
- Keywords: michelle parker, dale smith jr, the people's court, engagement ring, second degree murder, orange county jail, florida, missing person, nfl, crime, news, Woman
- Source: Law & Crime — https://lawandcrime.com/crime/woman-disappeared-after-going-on-the-peoples-court-against-ex-fiance-for-chucking-engagement-ring-out-of-9th-floor-hotel-balcony-now-hes-behind-bars
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: michelle parker, dale smith jr, the people's court, engagement ring, second degree murder, orange county jail, florida, missing person, nfl, crime, news
## Michelle Parker vanishes
Michelle Parker, 33, disappeared on Nov. 17, 2011, after dropping her twins off at her ex-fiance Dale Smith Jr.'s home in Orlando.
## Dale Smith Jr. accused of ring dispute
Smith sued Parker after claiming she threw her engagement ring off a ninth-story hotel balcony during a convention in Georgia.
## The People's Court appearance
Parker and Smith appeared on 'The People's Court' where Judge Marilyn Milian ordered Parker to pay $2,500 for the ring dispute.
## Parker accused of abuse
During the episode, Parker accused Smith of being physically abusive and unfaithful, saying she tried to stay together for their twins but failed.
## Smith remains free for years
Police considered Smith the culprit for years but he remained free until Wednesday when he was arrested on a second-degree murder charge.
## Orlando Police Chief explains
Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith stated Smith was the last known person to see Parker on Nov. 17, 2011, after she dropped their children off.
## Digital forensics used
Det. Phil McMican said advancements in digital technology, including phone location data, helped investigators find new evidence against Smith.
## Smith's inconsistent statements
Investigators found Smith gave different answers to the same questions during depositions in a civil case over the years.
## Key clues recovered
Parker's Hummer was recovered in a parking lot near where she disappeared, and her phone was found under a bridge weeks later.
## Smith arrested for murder
Smith, now 55, was arrested on a second-degree murder charge and is in the Orange County Jail without bond.
## No body recovered
Parker's body has never been recovered, and her case remains unsolved.
## Police statement
Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith said they will continue to pursue justice for victims and hold those responsible accountable.
## Case details
Parker and Smith were set to marry but the engagement ended after arguments; Smith sued Parker after claiming she threw the ring off a balcony.
## Investigation timeline
Over the past year, police expanded their investigative team and re-examined evidence using digital forensics to make the arrest.
## Case status
Authorities declined to release additional details, saying more would come in a probable cause arrest affidavit and future court hearings.
## Key takeaway

Michelle Parker disappeared after appearing on 'The People's Court' against ex-fiance Dale Smith Jr. over a $5,000 engagement ring; Smith was arrested for second-degree murder 15 years later.