ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando police made the announcement almost 15 years after her disappearance was reported.
UPDATE 1:10 p.m. EDT Oct. 15: Dale Smith Jr. enters not guilty plea
Dale Smith Jr. has entered a written plea of not guilty to the second-degree murder charge in Michelle Parker’s disappearance.
Attorney Rajan Joshi filed the plea Thursday at 12:01 p.m. in Orange County circuit court. The filing also includes a notice that Joshi is representing Smith and waives Smith’s arraignment and personal appearance at that proceeding. Smith was present in court.
Smith’s defense sought a bond hearing, but the request was denied. He remains held without bond at the Orange County Jail.
A separate court docket entry Thursday lists an order sealing the arrest warrant and the affidavit supporting it.
Smith was arrested Wednesday, nearly 15 years after Parker disappeared. Orlando police said a renewed review of witness statements and digital evidence helped move the investigation forward.
Parker’s remains have not been found.
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UPDATE 2:51 PM EDT Oct. 14
Orlando police have arrested Dale Smith Jr., the former fiancé of missing Orlando mother Michelle Parker, and charged him with second-degree murder in connection with her 2011 disappearance.
The Orlando Police Department said its Fugitive Unit and SWAT Team arrested Smith Wednesday morning, nearly 15 years after Parker was last seen.
Parker disappeared on Nov. 17, 2011, after dropping off her children at Smith’s home. Investigators believe Smith was the last known person to see or hear from her.
Police said the arrest follows years of investigative work and a renewed review of the case. Over the past year, OPD expanded the team investigating Parker’s disappearance and reexamined witness testimony, statements made by Smith and digital evidence.
According to investigators, advances in technology allowed detectives to conduct a more detailed analysis of evidence collected during the original investigation, including data from phones, computers and vehicles. Police said that analysis uncovered additional information that helped move the case forward.
“Our detectives continued to pursue leads and follow the facts wherever they led,” Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith said. “Their work reflects this department’s commitment to investigating every case thoroughly and pursuing justice, regardless of how much time has passed.”
Despite the arrest, Parker’s remains have not been found. Police said investigators will continue working to locate her and provide answers to her family.
OPD said no additional details are being released at this time as the case moves through the judicial process.
UPDATE 1:38 PM
Dale Smith Jr., the ex-fiancé of Michelle Parker, has been arrested on charges of second-degree murder.
WATCH PRESS CONFERENCE BELOW
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ORIGINAL STORY
The Orlando Police Department will provide an update Wednesday afternoon on the disappearance of Michelle Parker.
The news conference will be at 1:30 p.m. at OPD headquarters.
Parker was 33 when she disappeared on Nov. 17, 2011.
Police said Parker dropped off her twins at her ex-fiancé’s home that day. It was the last time anyone heard from her.
Police have not said what information will be released during Wednesday’s news conference.
WFTV crews will be at the conference, and coverage will be streamed live on the WFTV App.
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