Missing 'People's Court' Mom's Ex-Fiance Not Involved In His Second Wife's Death. In October 2001, Detective Charles Deisler wrote a follow-up report to the case in which he noted, "Numerous in-person attempts have been made to question Leonard. ", "He hurt my best friend," she said. Maybe two or three sentences I had a lot to say, and never even got the story out.. Although courtroom shows are nearly as old as television itself, The Peoples Court was the first to cast actual plaintiffs and defendants rather than restage settled cases with professional actors. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Although the show has been sued by participants before, none of these suits made national or even local headlines. "People are generally not victims of random acts of violence when you are talking about a disappearance or something of this nature," said Harold Copus, now head of Copus Security Consultants in Atlanta. Smith's attorney's office confirmed this information to The Huffington Post on Friday. ). Investigators are still searching for Michelle Parker, who vanished in 2011. He was determined to have been the primary aggressor, according to the report, because "no visible red or finger marks were noted on his face. Evarts motion offers an unprecedented look at the machinery propelling one of televisions most enduring shows, one thats become, like much of television, harsher and more sexualized in recent years. Michelle Parker - 'People's Court' Mystery The Orlando mother of three has been missing for more than ten years without ever being found. The parents of small twins, they had split up but the acrimony continued. The investigation around a central Florida mother who disappeared after a television show appearance has taken another turn as the father of the prime suspect in the case was arrested on warrant earlier this week. Family and friends said Parker was a devoted mother to her three children. >> THEY KNEW IMMIAEDTELY SOTHMEING WAS WRONG AND FROM THAT DAY FORWARD WE HAVE BEEN WORKING TO TRY AND LOCATE R.HE >> SMITH QUICKLY BECAME A PERSON OF INTEREST IN THE CASE BUT WNO TEN YEARS LATER DETECTIVES SAY THEYRE TAKING A STEP BACK. Once he had her outside he said she hit her head on the railing to the apartment and started to bleed," the police report reads. At 2 p.m. on November 17, 2011, the episode of "The People's Court" featuring Michelle Parker and Dale Smith finally aired. THAT DAY SHE WENT MISSING SWA ALSO THE SAME DAY SHE AND SMHIT APPEARED ON A TAPED EPISODE OF PEOPLES COURT WHERE THEY ARGUED OVER A LOST ENGAGEMENT RING. No trace of her was ever found. On the sixth anniversary of Parker's disappearance, Florida police said her former fianc, Dale Wayne Smith, is the prime suspect in their investigation, which remains very active. Copus cautioned that, while the perpetrator is most often known to the victim, he or she may still have been a random target. Of course not. Nejame acknowledges that its odd that Parker vanished on the same day as the Peoples Court aired, but denies that his client had anything to do with it. I know he hurt her many times, Parkers friend Angela Launer told ABC News. Police had previously said that Smith was not a suspect in Parker's disappearance, but details about their stormy life together that sent them to "The Peoples' Court" painted a portrait of a deeply troubled relationship. "You can't ignore the possibility," he said. Smith Jr. currently has custody of the couple's twins. ), I just thought Id win, according to their letter, Evart says. Legal Statement. Took off and left her in Georgia by herself . Everything we're doing is for the safe return of Michelle, that's what we're focused on.". Her twins are living with their father. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. . Parker's family has conceded that Smith's relationship with Parker was volatile, but it has also described Smith as a dedicated and loving father who cared for Parker, even when the two didn't get along. Parker, 33, of Florida, has been missing since Nov. 17, the same day her appearance on "The People's Court" television show aired. In 2003, Smith, who had been court-martialed several times on charges of drug possession and domestic battery, was dishonorably discharged from the Marines. ", READ KEY COURT DOCUMENTS IN THE CASE: (ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW). But the suspicions surrounding Parker's disappearance may have led the media to misconstrue the facts in Shannon's death. (MyFoxOrlando.com) The investigation around a central Florida mother. He is someone of interest during this investigation, but ultimately I think there may be someone out there who has some specifics that will help us close this case, Rolon said. Its last ping was off a tower in the Belle Isle area. You loved her at one point.". They argued about a $5,000 engagement ring that got lost after she threw it at him during an . Parker's Humvee was recovered on Friday, but authorities say they have not yet found her iPhone. She didnt let me speak, Evart says. I wish I had never gone.". (She still lives in Miami with her husband and three children and flies to New York to tape episodes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the shows studios on Fifth Avenue.). Police say he was the last person to see her alive. Parker's mother, Yvonne Stewart, pleaded with Smith during a news conference on Monday. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Everybody is searching and let's hope we find her and bring her home," Parker's father Brad Parker told "GMA.". At the time of his second marriage, Dale Smith was a U.S. Marine, stationed in Beaufort, S.C. As a result, growing attention has been focused on Parker's ex-fiance, Dale Smith. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. In 2020, Orlando Police Chief Orlando Rolon was asked if Smith is still a suspect in the case. It's usually a significant other or spouse, so naturally you focus on those people first.". Her iPhone was discovered by a dive team in a lake about four miles from Smith's home. Decals for Parker's Glow mobile tanning business had been removed from the windows, police said. Parker's family began to realize something was amiss when her 11-year-old let the family know that he was home from school and his mom wasn't around. Now, many are discussing whether Smith may have been involved in the death of his second wife, Shannon Smith. YOU KNOW 99.9% CHANCE SHE IS BUT THERES THAT ONE LITTLE POINT WHERE YOU HAVE NO BO. According to military records, he was dishonorably discharged from the U.S. Marines years earlier for a domestic violence incident with another woman and for selling drugs. Eventually, Parker took him back; as the two testified on their Peoples Court appearance, they were perpetually on-and-off. "He is crying every time I talk to him on the phone," Stewart said. FILE- This photo shows Michelle Parker, of Orlando, Fla., who disappeared on the same day an episode of 'The People's Court' TV show aired featuring her and her ex-fiance. Young said investigators have spoken to Parker's ex-fiance Dale Smith, and reviewed the episode of "The People's Court" during which Parker called her relationship with Smith "poison." Michelle Parker had no interest in watching her appearance on "The People's Court" when it aired on a November afternoon six years ago, telling family members she was embarrassed about. Milian blows by his gratuitous comment that Parker is looking to replace her breast implants and here Parker looks mortified to return to the matter at hand: He has no pictures of himself in costume. Smith has been names the suspect. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Kid safe after carjacker steals van with child inside, I went to McDonalds drive-thru for lunch but left with bags of cash instead, Biden, Harris photo-op with Warriors team takes awkward turn: 'I'm not doing that', Prince Harry roasted at Critics Choice Awards 2023, The holiday hubbub is taking over Midtown NYC and beyond, Why NYC's new vice economy weed, casinos might be doomed, Russell Simmons shows off weird AF dance moves at yoga studio in Bali, New Kids on the Blocks Jonathan Knight recalls pressure to hide sexuality, Britney Spears pokes fun at manic restaurant video: Best part was the pasta, Nick Sirianni's update on the status of Eagles' star QB Jalen Hurts, Wife of 'Boy Meets World' star William Daniels details 'painful' 'open marriage'. WE DIDNT WANT TO REACH ANY ONE BUT WHEN YOU HIT DOUBLE DITSGI YOURE REALLY ROLLING. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. A Facebook group devoted to the search for Parker -- with nearly 24,000 followers -- posts regular updates about the case, including the ongoing legal battle by the woman's mother, Yvonne Stewart, for visitation rights with her twin grandchildren. Parkers disappearance is investigated on the Nov. 23 episode of Real Life Nightmare on HLN (8 p.m. ET/PT). Parker's family is fearful, but still hopeful. I don't even ever want to see it. Leonard told police that he tried to revive Shannon Smith and carried her into a shower, placing her on a ceramic tiled built-in-corner seat. ", "He shouldn't have put his hands on me and shouldn't have put his hands on me prior," she told the TV judge. Dale Smith Sr., father of Dale Smith Jr., the primary suspect in the disappearance of Orlando mom, Michelle Parker. "My wife's out there. Police initially said that Smith was cooperating and was not considered a suspect, but during a press conference on Monday Orlando Police Chief Paul Rooney named Smith as the primary suspect in Parker's disappearance. Parker's disappearance prompted an extensive search of the Orlando area by police, dive teams and volunteers, scouring the area for any sign of the missing woman. She and Smith appeared in the episode to resolve a dispute over an engagement ring. Smith had sued Parker, a 33-year-old mother of three, for $5,000 for allegedly throwing the ring over a hotel balcony during an argument. All rights reserved. "He shouldn't have put his hands on me and he shouldn't have put his hands on me prior. Michelle Parker, then 32, taped her episode in the shows Midtown studios in June 2011. According to a former FBI agent who has worked on dozens of missing-person cases, significant others are often the first looked at as suspects or as persons of interest. The show pays all damages awarded to defendants and plaintiffs, as well as a $250 appearance fee. Police released the video on Parker's 34th birthday to keep the case in the public eye. or redistributed. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. 'People's Court' Missing Mom 'Would Not Voluntarily Disappear,' Friends Say. Eleven days into the investigation, police declared Smith the lone suspect, but he has not been charged; Smiths sister, Lauren Erickson, recently told Geraldo Rivera that her mother had worked out visitation with Smith, who has custody. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. "We've been receiving a lot of tips. >> TEN YEARS HAVE PASSED SINCE ORANGE COUNTY MOTHER MICHELLE PARKER WENT MISSG.IN BUT TO HER FAMILY EACH DAY HAS FELT LIKE A LIFETIME. ", According to court records, Dale Smith was later convicted by a general court martial on domestic violence and drug-related charges. She was last seen wearing jeans, a Florida Gators hooded sweatshirt and a silver cross necklace. Michelle Parker and her former fianc Dale Smith had always had a complicated relationship. Parker's car was found abandoned the day after she disappeared, and her family thought she was the victim of a carjacking. "Dale, honestly, if you're out there, honey, and you're listening to me, I have always said from day one--it's O.K. Parker has been missing since Nov. 17, the day an episode of "The People's Court" aired that exposed the tumultuous relationship between her and her ex-fiance Dale Smith Jr., the father of her two children. Although the episode was taped several months earlier, it aired on the same day that Parker disappeared. He also said that, in part because of the massive media coverage of her disappearance, numerous leads have come in and all of them are vetted "whether they include him or not. >> THERE IS STILL A 5,000 DOARLL REWARD FOR INFORMATION ON MICHELLE PARKERS CASE. Parker's 2008 black Hummer H3 was found the following day in a parking lot on the west side of Orlando. Orlando Police Chief Paul Rooney said during the press conference that Smith "simply refused" to take a polygraph test when it was offered to him. Parker went missing the same day she and her ex-fiance, Dale Smith, appeared on a taped episode of "People's Court" arguing over a lost engagement ring. Despite the fights and allegations of cheating, Parker's mother told ABC News that Smith is a great father who cares about her grandchildren and her daughter. Nathan James Mchugh. Woman Who Appeared On 'The People's Court' Missing Mom Says Daughter Was 'Humiliated' By 'People's Court' Appearance Michelle Parker's Ex-fiance Reportedly Has Domestic Battery Conviction Police Name Ex-Fiance As Primary Suspect Missing Mom's Kids Returned To Ex-Fiance, Prime Suspect In Case Wapners docket back then one episode was called The Case of the Overdone Underthings seems painfully square when compared with Milians, which has included the appearance of a plaintiff named Mr. OPEN CASE: Michelle Parker (left), who was sued by ex-fiance Dale Smith Jr. (right) on "The People's Court" disappeared the day her case aired. ( Michelle Parker went missing the same day she and her ex-fiance, Dale Smith, appeared on a taped episode of "People's Court" arguing over a lost engagement ring. We're not going to stop until we find out who did this.". Likewise, Michelle and Dale had appeared in The People's Court, where the couple argued about a 5000$ engagement ring, she pre-recorded the episode also the episode aired on TV on the same day she disappeared. Smith declined to comment for this story through his attorney, Mark NeJame. My name is Julie Fidler. Nov. 29, 2011 — -- Authorities have removed two children from the home of their father one day after he was named the primary suspect in the disappearance of their mother, Michelle Parker. Evart, who will appear in real court on Feb. 1 in the matter of her episode, says her treatment by Milian was not much better. 3,791 views Dec 18, 2011 Michelle Parker (People's Court Mom) is still missing. Parker's mother, Yvonne Stewart, pleaded with Smith during a news conference on Monday. No one should ever be treated that way.. Terry Randall Evison. The show The People's Court revealed Smith and Parker's relationship had a savage history of possibly being mistreated by her significant other. Thats not the way it should be trying to seek justice, and instead I got aggravation and stress. "He shouldn't have left me three or four times over the past year and a half that we've been together.". Parker reportedly tried to file a restraining order against him in 2009 but a judge rejected the request. "This is a sad day, really, but I think it was inevitable," Stewart said. . Despite Parkers testimony that Smith had grabbed her by the arm and dragged her around so forcefully that security at their hotel had to intervene, Milian assessed it as a co-dependent relationship Youre like a drug to each other rather than an abusive one. The judge ruled the two should split the cost. "We don't want to rule anything out. >> THE SEARCH FOR MICHLEEL PARKER IS STILL VERY MUCH ONGOING. Parker and Smith had an often tumultuous relationship, according to friends of the couple. Absolutely. Christopher John Dunn. 11 years later: Police still searching for Florida mom who vanished after appearing on 'People's Court', INVESTIGATION STANDS TODAY. Market data provided by Factset. Sexual Blue, she intoned, what is going on here, sir?. She says Milian told her, I know you. After hearing both sides, Judge Marilyn Milian ordered Parker to pay Smith $2,500. In many ways, its inevitable that The Peoples Court has gotten cruder youve got to move with the times, right? Parker, 33, of Florida, has been missing since Nov. 17, the same day her appearance on "The People's Court" television show aired. Waterford is in another direction -- northeast of where Smith lived. In the episode, Parker and Smith battled over whether Parker had to pay for a $5,000 engagement ring she tossed away during one of their spats. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Rooney did not elaborate on why Smith was considered a suspect, but detectives have said he has refused to take a polygraph test. Parker, 33, dropped off the pairs 3-year-old twins at Smiths house on Nov. 17. Parker also has an 11-year-old son from a previous relationship. Police conducted an overnight search of Smith's father's home over the weekend, but investigators did not comment on the findings of the search and it is unclear what sparked the search. "When you are looking at this from the position of an investigator, you have to determine who had the most access to the person. Smith has been named a suspect.. "He is our primary suspect," Orlando Police Chief . "He shouldn't have left me three or four times over the past year and a half that we've been together.". When the show asks if Smith knows what happened to Parker, his former attorney Mark NeJame replies, No. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Michelle Parker, a mother of three, was last seen Thursday afternoon when she dropped off her 3-year-old twins at her ex-fianc Dale Smith's home. We've received your submission. There is a certain agony that comes with any breakup, but things can become heated and bitter when money and children are involved. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Michelle Parker had no interest in watching her appearance on "The People's Court" when it aired on a November afternoon six years ago, telling family members she was embarrassed about the broadcasted dispute with herex-fianc over a lost engagement ring. ORLANDO, Fla. Nov. 21, 2011 — -- The mother of a missing Florida woman who disappeared the same day her case appeared on "The People's Court" said that her daughter was "humiliated" by the show. WHILE ITS BEEN TEN YEARS SINCE HER DISAPPEARANCE ORLANDO POCELI CONTINUE TO FOLLOW NEW TIPS AND HER FAMILY CONTINUES TO HOLD ON TO HOPE. >> WERE LOOKING AT THIS CASE AS A NEW OPEN CASE AND AS OF RITGH NOW, EVERYONE IS A SUSPECT. Andrew Phillip Parker. Dale Smith was arrested for criminal domestic battery. The parents of small twins, Parker and Smith had split up - but the acrimony continued. Its the recent case of a Florida mom who vanished the day her episode of The Peoples Court aired, however, that has caused the shows greatest public-relations crisis in its 30-year history. Sign up for PEOPLEs free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. MICHELLE PARKER CASE PHOTOS: (ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW). Market data provided by Factset. Ex-Fianc Named as Suspect in 'People's Court' Missing-Woman Case Michelle Parker vanished the same day she was seen tangling with Dale Smith on the show. Smith was thrown out of Maries in 2003, he was court . Evart wasnt awarded any portion of her deposit. Maybe she's bipolar.". Legal Statement. Three weeks later, divers found her cell phone in a nearby lake. It's the mother of those kids. Orlando police say Smith, pictured above, is the lead suspect in Parker's disappearance. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest. The show offered glimpses into the couple's tumultuous on-again, off-again relationship that dates back to 2006. The man's last name has been redacted. There are constant tips coming and we're following up on every one," Young said. After a rocky engagement with Dale Smith, she was happy and successful in moving on with her life.However, Dale was not quite ready to move on.