Michelle Loree Parker, 33, disappeared from Central Florida on November 17, 2011, after dropping her three-year-old twins at their father’s southeast Orlando home. Surveillance showed her black 2007 Hummer H3 entering and later leaving the Carter Glen Condominiums shortly after 3 p.m. She texted once that afternoon with the single word Waterford; phone records later placed her device near Hoffner Avenue. Her last known phone signal came about 8 p.m. in the Belle Isle area and calls to her went unanswered.
Michelle’s Hummer was found the next day in the Walden Palms apartment complex parking area in southwest Orlando, with business decals removed. Surveillance also placed the vehicle near Orlando-Vineland Road and Conroy Road late that night; footage did not show who was driving. About three weeks later her iPhone was recovered submerged near the Nela Bridge at Lake Conway in Belle Isle. She is described as about five feet five inches to five feet seven inches, 125 to 135 pounds, brown hair and eyes, wearing blue jeans, a white shirt, a blue Florida Gators zip-up sweatshirt, flip-flops, a silver-colored watch and a large cross necklace when last seen. Her tattoos include angel wings on her back, a floral design along her right side, and a butterfly on her lower abdomen.
What tips or memories from November 17, 2011, might help clarify Michelle’s movements that afternoon and evening?
Police say a renewed review of old evidence , including deeper analysis of phone, car, computer and location data , led detectives to identify and arrest Dale Smith Jr. (55) in connection with Michelle Parker’s disappearance. Orlando police announced he was taken into custody on October 14, 2026 and charged with second-degree murder after investigators said new evidence was found during the reexamination of the case.
Michelle Parker, 33 at the time, disappeared November 17, 2011 after dropping off her twins at Smith’s home in Geneva/Orlando. Her remains have not been located, and police say all evidence points to Smith as the person responsible for her death. Prosecutors have had some case documents sealed while the investigation continues, and officials said the charge could be upgraded if more evidence is found.
Smith entered a not guilty plea at his arraignment and is being held without bond. Court filings and the arrest affidavit are sealed for now, so we dont yet know the next scheduled hearings or what specific forensic findings tied him to the case.
