Michelle Parker, 33 Disappears Following Airing Of 'The People's Court' Featuring Michelle & Her Ex/ Primary Suspect, Dale Smith, hired Attorney, Mark Nejame/ Dale Smith is given custody of their two children/ Michelle Parker's Cellphone Found

by Chelsea Hoffman

December 04, 2011 06:20 AM EST

Michelle Parker has been missing for over two weeks now, and while investigators are working behind-the-scenes, it appears that volunteers need a break. It's probably frustrating for the family of the missing Florida mother, not knowing what to do next.

Sources report that the search for missing woman Michelle Parker has ended for the weekend while volunteers rest. All previous searches for the woman have turned up fruitless, and divers have even searched lakes, retention ponds and other water areas to no result. The command post will be operational again on Monday at "The Barn" in Seminole County. "The Barn" is the nightclub that employed the missing woman.

In another update to the volunteer search situation, it appears that Texas EquuSearch will no longer be assisting in the search for Michelle Lee Parker. There have been no details offered as to why.

What happened to Michelle Parker?

Michelle Lee Parker vanished mysteriously after she appeared on an episode of The People's Court. She was being sued by the only suspect in her disappearance, Dale Smith. It seems that someone would have to be stupid to abduct and harm someone they were just seen with on national television in a bitter dispute. However, it doesn't appear that this man is very intelligent to say the least. Dale Smith has an extensive criminal history of domestic violence and other related incidents.

The family of Michelle Parker believe she may have been the victim of a random, stranger abduction. They are also holding onto hope that she could still be alive. However, the chances of this are slim. Police obviously have reason to believe that Dale Smith has done something with his former fiance, but they lack the evidence to arrest and charge him as of now. If they had any other clues or evidence in the investigation, he wouldn't be their prime suspect.

http://news.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980854846

Fiance of Michelle Parker under More Scrutiny

December 03, 2011 02:50 AM EST

Michelle Parker still hasn't been found, even after searches of a retention pond in the Orlando area. However, the latest update in her disappearance is about her former fiancé, Dale Smith. It appears that his violent behavior recently went unknown by DCF.

Nancy Grace's blog makes mention of a previous report of Dale Smith shoving a news photographer. It was already reported that he shoved the guy to the ground, who was snapping photos. The source states that DCF made a statement that they wish they'd have known about that prior to the ruling. That's because just afterward, Dale Smith was given custody of the twins he shares with missing Florida mom, Michelle Parker.

The violent past of Dale Smith

While Michelle Lee Parker remains missing under very suspicious circumstances, more details in Dale's past are coming to light. Apparently, Michelle isn't the only woman who has accused the man of domestic violence. Nancy Grace reports that his latest conviction was 10 years ago. His second wife, Shannon Smith, alleges that he dragged her from their apartment by the leg, causing her to bang her head on a railing. This resulted in a nasty wound, and although Dale Smith drove her to the hospital, he stopped along the way to pick up a friend.

She also says that Dale threw her to the ground and rubbed someone else's blood from his fist into her face.

"He said he was going to kill himself and either 'going to kill us together because he can't live without me'," she states.

It's evident that, at the least, Smith has some recurring violent anger issues. If his former fiancée suffered at the hands of these aggression problems, he needs to come clean and face justice. There are children who are suffering without their mother and someone out there is being a selfish piece of trash, regardless of who it is who's done something with the missing Orlando mom.

No details on retention pond search for Michelle Parker

A team of divers searched a retention pond earlier this evening in the search for Michelle Lee Parker. The location, approximately two miles from Ellenor, didn't appear to pan out any definitive results in the search for the young woman. However, the investigators could be keeping silent as they collect evidence, if there is any.

http://news.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980849765

What a mess... This couple was a catastrophe just waiting to happen. Too many people today are like them - spoiled, narcissistic, combative and disrespectful of others.

I feel that Smith is indeed involved and I only hope she has survived whatever happened. Unfortunately, my heart is telling me that she did not.

Michelle Parker Search Begins in New Location
December 05, 2011 08:55 AM EST

The search for Michelle Parker is kicking off again this morning after volunteers took the weekend off to rest. Today, the missing woman's command post has been reopened in a new location. Will this location change make it possible to get more attention and tips?

The family of missing woman Michelle Parker has relocated their command post to an area near the woman's place of employment. A nightclub known as "The Barn" is one of the last places Michelle Lee Parker was seen at before vanishing without a trace. It's a good idea to have the command center in this location, because the nightclub is a place she not only worked at, but played at frequently as well. It should be mentioned that she met her former fiance while working in a similar environment. Dale Smith was a patron, she his server. Knowing this kind of puts some new perspective on her disappearance. Perhaps Dale Smith isn't involved, but someone else she met while working?

Hopefully today, and this week, comes with new information. Hopefully Michelle Parker is found soon.

http://news.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980858975

Just a vibe..but I agree that her body is near "The Barn". Wonder if there is water nearby..I would presume so as it's Orlando. MOO.

Michelle Parker search command post moves to Sanford

Michelle Parker was scheduled to work at the Barn, in Sanford, on Nov. 17, 2011, but she never showed up.

By Dave D'Marko and Amanda Evans, Team Coverage
Last Updated: Monday, December 05, 2011 3:26 PM

Michelle Parker's dad: 'I want to find her alive'
MAPS OF KEY LOCATIONS
Command post: S. French Ave.
Search area: Lake Ellenor
Home searched: Rose Blvd.
All locations in Orlando/Orange and Seminole counties.
CAN YOU HELP?
Call CrimeLine: (800) 423-TIPS if you know where Michelle Parker may be.

SANFORD --
The search for Michelle Parker was scaled down over the weekend, but Monday, the missing Orlando mother's family is preparing to bring the search back to full force.

Authorities and volunteers plan to expand the search Monday while working from a new command post: The Barn.

Parker, 33, was scheduled to work at the Sanford bar on Nov. 17, but she never showed up that night.

She was last seen dropping off her 3-year-old twins with their father, Dale Smith II. Orlando police have called him the prime suspect in Parker's disappearance, but Smith has not been arrested or formally charged.

The Barn has held several fundraisers for their missing co-worker's children. Now, it's the search's official headquarters.

But on the first morning at the new command post, things were mostly quiet.

Parker's family said there have been some technical problems in setting up the new post, but they hope to have things operating much the same as they did in Orlando by Monday afternoon.

The new command post is closer to the family's home, in Geneva.

They also said they realize some Orlando-area volunteers were growing weary. So Parker's family now hopes to get some Seminole County volunteers to help find the missing mother of three.

Many volunteers took the weekend off from searching, but police didn't, searching a canal just three blocks from Smith's father's home.

"I prayed to the Lord that they wouldn't find anything, and they didn't -- because I don't want to find Michelle in a lake. I want to find her alive," said Brad Parker, Michelle's father.

He didn't take the weekend off, either. Brad Parker and his wife went to a flea market in Lake County to pass out fliers and T-shirts with Michelle's picture.

He also said he believes Smith knows more about what happened to Michelle than he has let on so far.

Brad Parker said he has asked Smith to take a lie detector test. Smith's refusal to take one was what prompted Orlando police to name him a suspect, but the father of Parker's children still has custody of them after a judge's ruling.

Still, Parker's father said he'll be watching to make sure the kids are not in any danger.

If you have any information on where Michelle Parker might be, call CrimeLine at (800) 423-TIPS (8477). You are allowed to remain anonymous, and may be eligible for a reward.

http://www.cfnews13.com/article/news/2011/december/353916/Michelle-Parker-search-command-post-moves-to-Sanford

Michelle Parker Timeline: Key Dates To Missing Mom Investigation

First Posted: 12/ 5/11 07:53 PM ET
Updated: 12/ 5/11 07:54 PM ET

Police in Florida are trying to locate Michelle Parker, a 33-year-old missing mother of three from Orlando who has been missing since last month. Dale Smith, the father of Parker's twin 3 year olds, has been named the prime suspect in the case over her disappearance.

The following timeline begins on Nov. 17, the day Parker disappeared without a trace.

NOTE: This timeline will continue to be updated and amended as more information becomes available. Please send tips.

November 17
Morning -- Michelle Parker and her boyfriend, Nathan Mitchell, had coffee together.

2 p.m. -- An episode of "The People's Court" with Parker and her ex-fiance, Dale Smith, aired on television. The couple was in dispute over a $5,000 engagement ring that was lost after Parker threw it at Smith in anger. During the program, which had been taped in August, Parker alleged that Smith has a drug and alcohol problem and had been violent with her in the past.

"He gets pretty malicious and vindictive," Parker said. After hearing both sides Judge Marilyn Milian ruled the couple should split the cost of the ring and ordered Parker to pay $2,500 for her half.

According to Parker's mother, Yvonne Stewart, her daughter regretted taping the show.

"It was the most humiliating experience of my life," Stewart told ABC News her daughter said of the experience. "I don't even ever want to see it. I wish I had never gone."

2:30 p.m. -- Parker visited with family members at her mother's salon in in Oviedo, Florida.

3:15 p.m. --Mitchell and Parker exchanged flirty text messages.

3:18 p.m. -- A security camera records Parker dropping her twin 3 year olds off at Smith's condo on Goldenrod Road. Due to the angle of the camera, her departure time was not recorded.

3:30 p.m. -- Parker's 11-year-old son arrived home from school. Shortly thereafter he called his grandmother, Stewart, and notified her that his mom was not there.

4:26 p.m. -- Parker's brother, Dustin Erickson, sent her a text message and asked her where she was. Moments later, Erickson received a reply with the single word "Waterford," a possible reference to a nearby area.

4:30 p.m. -- According to Smith's attorney, Mark NeJame, his client went to visit his parents with his children.

6:53 p.m. --Parker's sister was unsuccessful in her attempts to reach her by phone.

7:20 p.m. -- Parker's sister reported her missing to police.

8 p.m. -- Parker failed to show up for her job at The Barn restaurant in Sanford. At about the same time her cellphone stopped transmitting a signal to a tower near Belle Isle.

November 18 -- Parker's 2008 black Hummer H3 was found in a parking lot on the west side of Orlando. Decals for Parker's mobile tanning business had been removed from the windows.

Police conducted a search of Smith's condominium. What -- if anything -- of interest was found is not yet known.

Parker's mother told WFTV she believed her daughter was the victim of a random crime, possibly a carjacking.

"If anybody has her and you're holding her hostage, please let her go," Yvonne Stewart told the news station. "Let her come home so she can raise her babies."

November 19 -- The Florida Department of Children and Families opened an investigation into the children's welfare "after allegations of past domestic violence were reported," the agency said in a statement. "This report was generated after the mother was reported missing to authorities."

November 22 -- The Orlando Police Department announced they had no new leads.

November 23 -- Police release a new photograph of Parker (see slideshow) in which she is wearing a cross necklace. Police say the photo may be a key piece of evidence in her disappearance since she was wearing it when she went missing.

Dozens of police officers and hundreds of volunteers conduct a search in the area where Parker's vehicle was found.

November 24 -- Volunteers spent Thanksgiving searching for Parker and distributing flyers with her photo and vital information.

November 25 -- Parker's mother announced that a private donor offered a reward of $50,000 for her daughter's safe return. The family set a deadline of midnight November 27.

November 26 -- Orlando police served a search warrant on Smith's parents' home on Rose Boulevard in Orlando. Witnesses told ABC News a SWAT team served the search warrant.

"Roughly 12 guys piled out, banged on the door, yelled 'search warrant, search warrant,' and basically took everybody out of the house," said neighbor Don Partin, according to ABC News. "They took everybody out, sat them in the yard and then the cops went in, and the crime lab went in and pretty much everybody from all departments showed up."

According to WESH.com, police said they found nothing of significance.

November 28 -- Orlando Police Chief Paul Rooney announced Smith as the primary suspect in Parker's disappearance.

"We had to look at every aspect in the case before we could come out publicly and state that Mr. Smith is our primary focus," Rooney said.

Rooney did not elaborate on why he was considered a suspect, but did say Smith had refused to take a polygraph test.

Smith's checkered past, however, may play a role in why police suspect he could be involved in Parker's disappearance. He was convicted of battery in the 1990s, serving 10 days in jail. His second wife, Shannon, died of an accidental drug overdose. In 1996 he joined the U.S. Marine Corps, and he was court martialed in 2001. Smith was subsequently dishonorably discharged in 2003. More recently, in 2009, Parker attempted to obtain a restraining order against Smith, but the request was denied due to lack of evidence.

Parker's mother pleaded with Smith to cooperate with police. "Dale, if you had cooperated with the police and took a polygraph test when they asked you, you could have avoided a lot of stress," Stewart told reporters. "Our family needs to have Michelle home. We need to heal."

November 29 -- The Florida Department of Children and Families claimed Smith was a "significant future risk" to his children and placed the twins in protective custody.

Smith's lawyer, Mark NeJame, told reporters his client declined to take a lie detector test because the devices are unreliable. NeJame also said Smith was asking Texas EquuSearch, a well-known missing person search and recovery group, to look for Parker.

"If this doesn't ring as a testament to a man who is not guilty, I don't know what does," NeJame told reporters. "Mr. Smith wants Michelle found. Now what guilty person is asking for a search to be conducted? If she is found alive or not, he knows that will exonerate him."

Texas EquuSearch confirmed to The Huffington Post that they plan to conduct a search for Parker.

NeJame said the timeline in the case and the suggestion that his client may have been involved does not add up.

"Get in your cars, and run that track, and see if you can do it ... and in between, you've killed and gotten rid of -- disposed of a body ... where nobody can find it," NeJame said. "There's no marks, no defensive wounds, no scrapes, no blood, no nothing suggesting a struggle or a death."

He added, "You then, in an hour and 12 minutes, go from one side of town to the other, you then drop off your vehicle, you get in your vehicle and you drive to your father's house. In an hour and 12 minutes. It's not physically possible."

November 30 -- Smith allegedly knocked down a TV news photographer on his way into juvenile court for an emergency custody hearing. The photographer, who suffered scrapes, cuts and elbow pain, told WESH News he planned to go to a doctor to assess his injuries before deciding whether to press charges.

An Orlando juvenile court judge dismissed a petition filed by the Florida Department of Children and Families. The judge said the agency failed to present sufficient probable cause for him to sign a petition on custody. The judge ruled in favor of Smith, pending any future developments in his ex-fiance's disappearance.

Authorities searched an area near Lake Ellenor in south Orange County for Parker. The location is five miles from Smith's parents' house and close to the cell tower that logged Parker's last transmission. Dive teams and search crews from the Orlando Police Department and the Orange County Sheriff's Office participated.

The Orlando Police Department announced a body found near a south Georgia Interstate 95 on-ramp was not Parker.

December 1 -- Texas EquuSearch's founder Tim Miller arrived in Orlando to meet with law enforcement.

The Barn night club held a fundraising event to help Parker's family in their efforts to find her.

"We miss her so much, the last couple weeks every night that we're here that she's supposed to be here it's just not the same, it feels like you're always waiting for her to come to work and she's not," manager Erica Thims told Central Florida News 13.

December 2 -- Authorities searched a fenced retention pond near Smith's home. Nothing of interest was found.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/05/michelle-parker-timeline_n_1126752.html

Michelle Parker's dad tells her fiance: "We're coming after you"
By Crimesider

(CBS) - SANFORD, Fla. - The fiance of missing mother-of-three Michelle Parker isn't just the police's top suspect in her disappearance--he's also her father's.

"You're number one. You can't run and you can't hide. And, we're coming after you,"

Brad Parker told CBS affiliate WKMG, speaking of Dale Smith, Jr.

Police have named Smith a suspect in Michelle's Nov. 17 disappearance. The couple had appeared earlier that day on an episode of "The People's Court" where they argued over who should pay for a $5,000 engagement ring Parker lost.

Police have said that Parker and Smith had a violent relationship.

Meanwhile, Parker's family has moved the base operation of their ongoing search for Michelle to the bar where she worked. They have also expanded the area they are searching.

According to WKMG, the search had been headquartered near a lake where Parker's cell phone was traced before it turned off.

"My heart is aching," Yvonne Parker told WKMG. "Every day I see her face and she's not with our family, it's killing me."

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-57336866-504083/michelle-parkers-dad-tells-her-fiance-were-coming-after-you/

Father of missing woman Michelle Parker suspects her ex-fiance Dale Smith Jr.

SANFORD, Florida (WKMG) - The father of Michelle Parker, a mother of three missing for more than two weeks, suspects her ex-fiancé has something to do with her disappearance.

"And, this goes to Dale. You're number one. You can't run and you can't hide. And, we're coming after you," said Brad Parker, Michelle's father, referring to Dale Smith, Jr.

"I know he did it. We just gotta prove it," he added.

The Orlando Police Department last week officially named Smith, 40, as a suspect in Parker's disappearance.

Brad Parker made the comments on Saturday night at a fundraiser to raise money for the search. He said he's thankful for the support of the search for Parker, who vanished on Nov. 17, but said watching dive teams search an Orlando retention pond last week for his daughter nearly stopped his heart.

"When they went to the lakes, my heart went to my legs. But then they come back up and said they didn't find anything, my heart started beating again," he said.

The pond is located off Rose Boulevard near Tahiti Road in south Orlando, about two miles from Lake Ellenor, where authorities conducted a search on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

On Saturday, search teams explored a new area near State Road 520 by the Orange and Brevard county line. Again, search teams came up empty.

Despite that, Parker's family refuses to give up hope.

"I have access to 300 more people on ATVs. Three-hundred more. That just goes to tell you there's so many awesome people out there," said Parker.

Rick Thomas, who has known Parker for 35 years, said the search is taking its toll.

"Well, you hear about other people and it doesn't hit you. But, when it's somebody that you know, someone that you love, it's just really bad," said Thomas.

Parker, 33, disappeared after dropping off her 3-year-old twins with Smith, who is the father of the children. The same day, an episode of "The People's Court" aired nationwide featuring the couple in a dispute over a $5,000 engagement ring.

Parker also has an 11-year-old son from another relationship.
http://www.wtsp.com/news/article/224483/19/Father-of-missing-woman-Michelle-Parker-suspects-her-ex-fiance-Dale-Smith-Jr

So, are the Ant's a part of this search w/their sonar boat?

Isn't that what they bought it for? To help find missing persons? What are they doing? Sitting on their arses waiting for someone else to find Michelle Parker? They were unhappy when the media wasn't out searching for Caylee... They are much like their buddies, the Kidfinders bunch!

(Sorry, the Anthony saga has affected me for life. I will never get over it.)

I wonder if we are hearing the honest feelings of Yvonne Stewart? She seems to be in denial, thinking a stranger abducted her daughter and that she is still out there waiting to be rescued. One of the most incriminating things that comes to my mind is the removal of the decals from the Hummer.

One of the most incriminating things that comes to my mind is the removal of the decals from the Hummer.

Tip moves Michelle Parker search to Daytona Beach

By Jason Wheeler, Reporter
Last Updated:
Tuesday, December 06, 2011 8:43 AM

DAYTONA BEACH --
The search for Michelle Parker has moved into a third county in as many weeks.

The missing Orlando mother's family said a tip called in to CrimeLine has led them to Daytona Beach.

The tipster reported seeing a woman matching Parker's description in the area of Atlantic Avenue and Seabreeze Boulevard.

Her family said Parker is apparently familiar with the area, because she would sometimes work as a bartender or promoter for area nightclubs at hot spots.

Michelle's brother, Dustin Erickson, said friends and family want to follow up on every credible tip they get.

Tuesday, volunteers plan to blanket the neighborhood near the beach with fliers.

Meanwhile, Parker's family continues to put public pressure on her ex-fiancé, Dale Smith II.

Orlando police have called him their primary suspect in Parker's disappearance, but Smith has not yet been arrested or charged.

Still, Brad Parker, Michelle's father, said he thinks Smith "knows, and someone else knows, and he may have had an accomplice."

It was not immediately clear if the Daytona Beach Police Department has any reason to believe Michelle Parker may be in their city.

But a week before the search moved to Daytona Beach, someone posted a sign with Parker's photo and information right in front of Daytona International Speedway.

A trust fund for Michelle Parker's family has been set up with the help of Morgan and Morgan law firm. The fund will "not only fund rescue efforts, but also provide for Parker's children."

http://www.cfnews13.com/article/news/2011/december/354402/Tip-moves-Michelle-Parker-search-to-Daytona-Beach

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/levipage/2011/11/29/lisa-irwin-and-michelle-parker-cases

Note: Mr. Parker discusses State Road 520. This road is VERY long and mostly two way traffic. Very dangerous and there have been many fatalities on this road. In fact, many say the road is haunted. Anyway, the road is surrounded by very dense woods - quite similar to the same flora and fauna where little Caylee was found. Don't know if this means anything but found it interesting.

The road is one of two roads where one can go from Cocoa Beach to Orlando and back.

Greg Jenkins, Orlando Haunted Places Examiner
April 12, 2011

Just south-east of the busy city of Orlando, Florida rests a dark and oftentimes ominous stretch of road known as Route 520. This road runs about 30 miles through dense forests and musty swamplands straight past Interstate-95, through the busy U. S. Federal Highway-1, and on to the Cocoa Beach seashores. Having served as a time efficient shortcut for Floridian travelers over the many years, this road expedites the journey from Central Florida to the sunny beaches in half the time to that of other roads. Though efficient and cost effective, route 520 has a lethal and foreboding reputation as being one of the most deadly roads in the state of Florida, and ranks as the 3rd most dangerous roadway in the United States by the Florida Highway Patrol.

While Route 520 has served weary motorists for the past 30 years, it is still only a two-lane road, and a bumpy one at that, and simply not worthy enough for our fast-paced, high-tech motorists. Because of these setbacks, there have been many fatal accidents over the years, some killing entire families while en route for Disney World, Universal Studios or any number of theme parks here in the Sunshine State. Sometimes, tragedy would come to those in a hurry to get home after a long day’s work or after a full night of partying in downtown Orlando. As such, this dark and tattered path has earned the appropriate nickname Bloody 520 — The Road of Broken Dreams. Because this long and winding highway runs through an unlit and rather dense section of Central Florida, it stands to reason that the opportunity for accidents are more likely here. And as any Florida State Trooper or Sheriff’s Deputy will tell you, far too many people have lost their lives on this most deadly of Florida’s roadways.

For the past 30 years, Route 520 has taken on a more supernatural reputation to that of merely being known as a dangerous route to travel. Many local Floridians have claimed strange and even frightening events to have taken place there over the years. From UFOs hovering in the darkened skies over this long stretch of unlit road and nearby swamplands, to the elusive Skunk Ape; Florida’s answer to the Bigfoot creature prowling the nearby thickets and woodlands, all constitute a few excellent examples of Route 520s creepy oral traditions. Yet, even with such spooky folklore, there is one story that keeps popping up; a time-honored legend that has many late night motorists stepping on the gas pedal just a bit harder in order to quickly pass this dark and foreboding road without catching a glimpse of those frightening glowing orbs known as ghost lights.

Spook Lights, Haints or Just Plain Swamp Gas?

For at least the last four decades Route 520 has been the home to one of the oddest forms of ghostly phenomena known to psychical researchers and paranormal investigators. Well known as ghost lights, spook lights, ignis fatuus foolish fire and willow o’ the wisps, these strange luminous balls of mysterious matter may not be as unique as one might believe. In fact, radiant orbs like the ones observed near Route 520 have been experienced all over the world, sharing similar qualities and behaviors since ancient times. Even though scientists have tried to find reasoning behind these ghostly lights; with such ideas as swamp gas or reflections of disembodied headlights from distant cars, hard evidence to what they truly are, their nature and purpose have never been conclusively established by scientist or layperson.

The 520 Ghost Lights are said to be greenish-yellow iridescent balls of light, which are sometimes seen floating on the sides of the roads or hovering through the nearby woods. Often witnessed as a single orb that bobs up and down erratically, and sometimes seen in pairs acting as one or as independent entities, these intriguing glowing anomalies have become a part of Florida’s unique and very interesting folklore. One aspect to this legend, which alters their playful reputation, are reports that these ghostly lights will sometimes act with almost human qualities, mimicking a playful dance through the treetops, or jotting to and fro around the darkened road. Sometimes, these enigmatic orbs of light will actually chase people and cars as they pass by. Some of these legends however, are a bit more frightening.

When Spook Lights Attack!

According to one gentleman living in the Cocoa Beach area since the late 1950s, a pair spook lights followed his wife home one evening in 1979. As the story goes, when his wife was coming home from visiting her sister in Orlando, while driving through the dead center of Route 520, she began seeing a glowing ball of light bobbing up and down near the passenger side of her car. This ball of light kept pace with her for several minutes. She tried to reason what she was seeing, thinking it might be a reflection of another car’s lights hitting her window, or perhaps it was a light from her dashboard somehow casting the glow on the passenger-side window. Regardless how hard she tried to find an answer, the eerie light continued to keep up with her car as if the light were somehow alive.

As the now thoroughly frightened woman continued to drive as fast as she could, the ghostly orbs appeared to subside, and then stopped all together, hovering still on the side of the road, and then slowly slipping into the adjacent woodlands. The poor woman later related her terrifying story to friends and family, in effect, inaugurating this spooky legend to Florida’s robust ghost lore. In the end, it should be of no surprise that this particular Florida driver vowed never to take another nocturnal journey on Bloody 520 again. Note: I was involved in a horrible collision on that road and I vowed will Never take 520 again to go to or from Orlando. At the time of the collision, I had not heard of these "tales".

A similar story occurred in 1998 from a man walking home from work. This man, a short-order cook at one of Cocoa Beach’s roadside diners, was preparing to walk home after closing for the evening. As the man’s home was only about a mile and a half down Route 520, it wasn’t too much of a problem for him, even though he longed for his old car to be fit and running. As this man was on his trek home around 2:30 A.M., while walking on the left shoulder of the road, he noticed a faint greenish glow about fifty yards ahead of him within the dense woods. This light was pulsating from bright to a dull hue much like an old time railroad lantern, so he thought it must have been local hunters looking for raccoon or opossum. Yet, he just could not help thinking that something was wrong about the nature of this light — it just didn’t look right.

As the weary cook continued for home, he noticed that the odd light was keeping pace with his every step, as if mocking his every move. Then suddenly, from out of nowhere, a second light appeared behind the first. Though much dimmer than the first light, it certainly proved without a shadow of a doubt that the light was not from a hunter’s lantern. Indeed, the cook later admitted that he was becoming quite nervous about the whole affair, and began to quicken his pace for home. Nonetheless, the strange lights continued to follow him for nearly twenty minutes, all the time bobbing up and down as if to taunt his every move.

Within a few moments, the first light seemed to move upward, as if climbing a nearby tree, with the second light becoming very dim, and then reducing itself to a pinpoint of light, then disappearing altogether. By this time, the poor cook had really wished he had his car up and running, but decided to pick up his pace in order to elude this bizarre occurrence. As he was reaching a turn to his housing development, he saw the saving glow of car headlights about a mile ahead. Pleased that at least someone was close by, the cook gazed back only to find the floating orb of light now in the center of the road, as if watching the hapless cook flee in fear — as if laughing.

The cook later stated he was getting more than a little perturbed at the evening’s escapades. He was tired, and he wanted to get home, take a shower and go to bed, but someone or something was playing with him, and he had had enough. The out of breath cook decided to stop and hold his ground and prepare to fight if need be, but as he turned, he noticed that the light was becoming denser, it flickered a bit, and then extinguished all together.

Relieved, he returned to his quick pace for home, and didn’t look back. He never witnessed the ghostly lights again. Although this short-order cook, now a bartender in downtown Cocoa Beach was more than happy to relate this story to me, he admitted that even though his car is up and running today, that if for any reason he was ever stranded again, he would never take Route 520 home. He would take a cab instead. Note: I know him personally and when he speaks of this (and you have to prod him to do so) he shakes when telling the story and is a very Sane person!

The best time to witness the Route 520 spook lights are between 10:00 p.m. and 3:30 a.m., so when you’re driving alone on this dark road, remember to buckle up, keep your eyes on the road, and don’t push the speed limit because the Florida Highway Patrol may not be the only ones watching you.

Possible Explanations

As there have been many scientists and self-styled paranormal investigators over the years to claim that these lights are a result of the nature en flux; a simple break down of plant and animal deposits, which creates methane gases, and when ignited through natural causes, the end result may produce an upward dispersal and instant glow or “burn-off,” thus creating the seemingly spooky event. The process is usually instant and will reach to several feet and then fizzle out. This event is in fact a true scientific occurrence, which takes place in most estuaries, swamps and other bodies of stagnant water. And, though Route 520s ghostly lights show some similarities in behavior, the particulars are certainly different.

The scientific process of burning swamp gas will usually take place within the summer months when it is balmy and humid, and even at night when there is a slight cool down in temperature. Because of such explanations, it would be logical to assume that these strange lights are completely natural in origin. Swamp gas does not, however, float through the woods and follow cars or people as they pass by — this is more the nature of the so called “ignis fatuus” or foolish fire.

Although the ghost lights of Route 520 have been reported as being playful in nature, as if playing hide and seek with those lucky or unlucky enough to experience them, there is darkness to their odd nature nonetheless. And, though there has never been a report of these luminous orbs of light having caused physical harm to anyone, the nature of these anomalies remains a frightening subject for anyone who experiences them. Moreover, while these particular ghost lights appear to be more entertaining than anything dangerous or evil, their presence in the realms of parapsychology and world folklore shall always remain a mystery.

Sources:

Guiley, Rosemary Ellen (1992). The Encyclopedia of Ghosts and Spirits. New York: Facts on File.

Continue reading on Examiner.com A case for Ignis Fatuus: the Legend of Orlando’s Bloody 520 - Orlando Haunted Places | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/haunted-places-in-orlando/a-case-for-ignis-fatuus-the-legend-of-orlando-s-bloody-520#ixzz1fouhxi5e

Sorry,

Dale Smith's mom questioned in case of missing Michelle Parker

Cindy Adams, Crime Examiner
December 6, 2011

Orlando, Fla. - Tamara Smith, the mother of the prime suspect in the disappearance of Orlando woman Michelle Parker has been questioned by police. Dale Smith – Michelle's ex-fiance and the father of two of her children – has been named the focus of the investigation by authorities.

According to CF News 13, Orlando police have issued several subpoena's regarding the vanishing of Michelle in an effort to find her.

Richard Hornsby, a local attorney who accompanied Tamara to speak with police, told the local news outlet that she cooperated fully with authorities and is concerned for her grandchildren. She also said her son desperately wants Michelle found.

Michelle, 33, was last seen on Nov. 17, 2011, after dropping off her 3-year-old twins at Smith's home. She also has an 11-year-old son from a prior relationship. Her Hummer was found on Nov. 18, however, authorities continue to search for her iPhone.

The couple taped a 'People's Court' episode in June -- which aired on the day she vanished -- regarding a $5,000 engagement ring that Smith claimed Michelle threw over a hotel balcony when the two were in a heated, alcohol-fueled argument.

Michelle is described as being 5-foot-6, weighing about 140 pounds, with brown hair and eyes. Anyone with information regarding Michelle Parker is urged to call authorities at 800-423-TIPS.

Continue reading on Examiner.com Dale Smith's mom questioned in case of missing Michelle Parker - National Crime | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/crime-in-national/dale-smith-s-mom-questioned-case-of-missing-michelle-parker#ixzz1fpIe9x70

I hope his image changes to

Titusville is in Brevard County..the next county over from Orange County..where Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach are. I have a gut feeling her body is in Brevard County. MOO.

#breakingnews sources confirm missing mom #Michelleparker iPhone has been found.

https://twitter.com/#!/bobkealing

A WESH 2 source close to the investigation confirms investigators have found Michelle Parker's cellphone.
Parker's sister, Lauren Erickson, said Wednesday night that she has seen the phone.
WESH 2 does not know where the phone was found, but officials have said it's a major step forward in the investigation.

Read more: http://www.wesh.com/news/29947350/detail.html#ixzz1ftuvBOxX

Michelle Parker: Missing mom's cellphone found, family says

By Bianca Prieto and Susan Jacobson, Orlando Sentinel
11:25 a.m. EST, December 7, 2011

A cellphone that belongs to missing mother Michelle Parker has been found, her family said tonight.

The iPhone 4, in a pink, black and white case — Parker’s favorite colors — is in good shape, said Yvonne Stewart, Parker’s mother.

"It's the biggest break ever, and my heart is joyful," Stewart told the Orlando Sentinel.

Investigators called Parker's family to the Orlando Police Station this evening to identify the phone, Stewart said. They did not immediately respond to a call for comment.

The father of suspect in the Michelle Parker disappearance was questioned under oath today about the case.

Dale Smith Sr. arrived at the Orange-Osceola State Attorney's Office to asnwer quests after receiving an investigative subpoena in the case.

This is the second day in a row suspect Dale Smith II's family members have been questioned about the case. Tamara Smith, the suspect's mother, was questioned under oath.

Detectives have not released any new information about the case.

Friends and family of Michelle Parker resumed their search efforts for the missing woman today in Sanford.

Parker, 33, vanished Nov. 17 after dropping off her twins at the home of ex-fiancé Dale Smith II, the father of the children and prime suspect in the disappearance. Thursday will mark 3-weeks since the woman was last heard from.

His mother, Tamara Smith, was subpoenaed to answer questions under oath about the case Tuesday at the Orange-Osceola State Attorney's Office. Her attorney, Richard Hornsby, said she cooperated with investigators.

Police have searched Smith's home, his parents' home and bodies of water in the area in Orange County to look for clues. Smith has not been charged with a crime.

Orlando police said Tamara Smith was one of "several" people issued investigative subpoenas in the case.

Meanwhile, family members are coordinating their search from a command post in the parking lot at The Barn, where Parker works as a bartender.

Earlier this week, friends and family members have been handing out fliers about Parker in Seminole and Volusia counties in hopes of generating tips to Parker's whereabouts.

Parker was last seen wearing jeans, a Florida Gators hooded sweat shirt and a silver cross necklace.

Anyone with information about Parker's disappearance is urged to call Crimeline at 1-800-423-8477. Tipsters can remain anonymous and can earn a reward of up to $5,000.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/os-michelle-parker-missing-daytona-beach-20111207,0,3767282.story

ORLANDO, Fla. -
Local 6 has confirmed with Michelle Parker's sister, Lauren Erickson, that the iPhone of Michelle Parker has been found by police.

Erikson was called into the Orlando Police Department to confirm with authorities if the phone police had was Parker's phone.

"It makes your hope reach back out to the sky," Erickson said.

Michelle Parker, 33, disappeared Nov. 17 after dropping off her 3-year-old twins with Dale Smith Jr., who is the father of the children. Earlier the same day, an episode of "The People's Court" aired nationwide featuring the couple in a dispute over a $5,000 engagement ring.

Authorities have named Smith, 40, as the primary suspect in Parker's disappearance, although he has not been arrested and was granted custody of the twins.

The tipster said a person who resembled Parker was seen walking along SR A1A over the weekend. (State Road A1A runs from Daytona to Cocoa Beach and Beyond - it is the scenic route)

Daytona Beach police said one officer would assist volunteers in their search for Parker.

Also, Orlando police said investigators subpoenaed Smith's mother and questioned her on Tuesday.

Parker also has an 11-year-old son from another relationship.

A trust has been established on the behalf of Parker and her children. To make a donation, visit forthepeople.com, her family's attorneys' website.

Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.

http://www.clickorlando.com/news/Michelle-Parker-s-iPhone-found-by-police/-/1637132/4883988/-/11gry5c/-/index.html

Divers searching canals in disappearance of Michelle Parker: MyFoxORLANDO.com

Divers searching canals in disappearance of Michelle Parker
Updated: Friday, 09 Dec 2011, 10:38 PM EST
Published : Friday, 09 Dec 2011, 11:44 AM EST
ORLANDO, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - Dive teams with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office searched two locations on Friday in their investigation into the disappearance of missing Orlando mother Michelle Parker.

Divers combed canal near the intersection of Sand Lake and Orange Blossom Trail and also searched various locations in East Orange County near the Econlockhatchee Trail between the area of Curry Ford Road and Lee Vista Blvd.

"I was very surprised because this is a very quiet area," said Vivian Ruiz. Her usually peaceful walk with her dog "Chief" was quite interesting as crews searched the area by South Econ Community Park, near Lee Vista Road. "I walk everyday with my dog and I never see anything suspicious or anything going on, so it was quite a shock for me to see that there was something going on."

The 33-year-old disappeared on Nov. 17 after the airing of an episode of "The People's Court" on which she and ex-fiancé Dale Smith Jr. appeared to settle a dispute over a $5,000 engagement ring. Police named Smith, 40, as the prime suspect in her disappearance last week, but he has not been charged with any crime.

The new search follows the discovery of Parker’s cell phone which was located under a bridge along Hoffner Ave. in the community of Belle Isle.

The phone pinged a tower about a mile away from where it was found. Detectives said it pinged around 8 p.m. on Nov. 17th.

The phone is undergoing forensic testing and police are hoping it will provide physical evidence and/or data which will assist in their investigation. Investigtors say Parker's family identified the phone and the serial number confirms that it is Michelle Parker's phone.
Parker's cell phone was discovered days ago and while it's not anywhere near either search site, investigators said tips are pointing them in different directions.

Parker's brother, Dustin, is grateful to all the search crews. We spoke with him about the discovery of his sister's cell phone.

"It was hard, because they found it in an area that I had driven over personally four times, and the fact that I wasn't able to jump in the water and hold my breath long enough to find it. I see no reason that cell phone can't help us out at this point."

A benefit to raise money for Michelle Parker's search and her children takes place Saturday afternoon at The Barn in Sanford. It will be a Truck Tug-A-War and Truck Show. Admission is $10.

Read more: http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/news/local/120911-divers-searching-for-michelle-parker#ixzz1g6kdMYzW

by Chelsea Hoffman
Member since:
January 18, 2011
Michelle Parker Exclusive: Carla Baron Makes Accurate Prediction
December 09, 2011 08:05 PM EST

The disappearance of Michelle Parker was discussed by Carla Baron with a senior associate producer of the Dr. Phil show. The reading, which took place on Saturday at around 10:30 a.m. PST, involved the missing People's Court mom, as well as the disappearance of baby Lisa Irwin and the death of Natalie Wood. Gather News was lucky enough to get the exclusive inside scoop on the reading that took place. To put it lightly, the things Carla Baron shared about this particular missing persons case were downright spooky-accurate.

It's common knowledge that the iPhone 4 belonging to Michelle Parker was discovered a day ago. Its location wasn't revealed until today, and the leads that brought the dive team to its location still haven't been released. Carla Baron predicted at least three days prior to the phone's discovery that it would be found in this manner. She said, in the informal Gather News interview, that the missing woman's phone was thrown out of the vehicle being driven by the person responsible for her disappearance. She conveyed that this perpetrator was aware of cell-phone pings and tracking and therefore threw it out of the vehicle. This is what she told the senior associate producer of Dr. Phil on Saturday, and it is also what she told Gather News on Wednesday evening just before it broke that dive teams, in fact, discovered Michelle Parker's iPhone.

Call it a coincidence, but it wasn't until today that it was revealed that dive teams had to retrieve the phone from beneath a bridge—like it had been tossed from a vehicle. Media sources today also revealed that the phone's location was between Dale Smith's home and his parents' house where he had driven his twins after Michelle Parker had dropped them off before vanishing without a trace. Some would think this implicates the former fiancé of the missing woman. However, Carla sees differently. She believes the perp is a sexual predator who has done this before and will do this again. He's someone who stalks victims who fit his "type." She doesn't believe that the person responsible for Michelle's disappearance is Dale Smith. She is certain that the person who abducted her also did not see her on the episode of The People's Court that aired that day.

Could Michelle Parker be a victim of a serial killer?

Regardless of whether or not you believe in psychic phenomena, it's absolutely astonishing that the details of the woman's phone being predicted days before its discovery. If the rest of Carla Baron's predictions on this case are as accurate as the iPhone find, then what does this mean for the investigation into the missing mom's whereabouts? Will investigators be inspired to look into the possibility of another suspect, even though they've already called Dale Smith out as their prime focus? What if this is truly the work of a serial killer?

What's truly interesting about the discovery of Michelle Parker's cell phone is that it powered down in the area in which it was found. However, this woman has been missing for a month now. How come the phone powered down and managed to go undiscovered in this area where it was last pinged until this week? Furthermore, how did this phone retain "remarkable condition" if it had been exposed to the outdoor elements for this long? Something doesn't add up, and it seems like whoever tossed the phone may not have tossed it in the beginning of this investigation.

http://news.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980882877

Michelle Parker's iPhone found, mom fears 'it's not going to end well'

ORLANDO --
A day after missing woman Michelle Parker's cell phone was found, her mother now fears her daughter is dead.

“It's becoming a lot more real to me now that someone has done something to my child,” Yvonne Stewart said, fighting back tears.“I can not begin to tell you how much pain my heart is in today."

Detectives, and even Parker's sister, saw the discovery of the phone as a break in the case, that could help solve Parker's disappearance.

“Finding that is a big deal. It's a little mini computer, maybe they can track the GPS and tell everywhere that she went. It could be everything we needed,” Lauren Erickson said.

But Stewart sees the phone as proof her daughter was abducted.

“I had such high hopes that we would find her and she'd be alive and I just don't think that's going to happen, and I hate whoever did this to her," Stewart said. "God help you when you get to heaven.”

She also had a message to her daughter, who she now believes is looking down on the search efforts that have gone on for three weeks.

“If you are in heaven and listening, Michelle, I know you don't want me to be sad, but I can't help it, I just feel like it's not going to end well now.”

Police said the phone was found in remarkably good condition and is currently undergoing forensic testing.

Early in the search, family members said the last signal detected from the phone was near the Jessie Black Saloon in Orlando. That was where the search command post was before it moved to The Barn in Sanford, where Parker worked.

On Thursday, family and friends gathered to continue handing out fliers around Central Florida, hoping to raise more awareness about Parker's disappearance.

A Deal Soon for Parker's Children
Stewart also said she has not been able to see her grandchildren since they were returned to their father, Dale Smith II.

This may soon change. Matt Morgan, the attorney representing Parker's family, says he is working out a deal with Smith's attorney, Mark Nejame.

"Hopefully tomorrow [Friday] we'll have something for yvonne and lauren and michelle parker's family with regards to visitation," Morgan said.

Morgan also said the children were accustomed to seeing their grandmother every day before this happened.

Orlando police have called Smith, who is Parker's ex-fiancé, their prime suspect. He has not, however, been arrested or charged in the case.

A judge in the case ruled that, despite Smith's position in the investigation, the children were not in any kind of danger if they stayed with their father.

Detectives questioned Smith's father, Dale Smith Sr., under oath Wednesday, along his mother, Tamara Smith, days earlier.

Investigators did not immediately disclose what may have been said in those interviews.

If you know anything about Michelle Parker's disappearance, call CrimeLine at (800) 423-TIPS (8477). You are allowed to remain anonymous, and may be eligible for a reward.
http://www.cfnews13.com/article/news/2011/december/355214/Michelle-Parkers-mom-fears-its-not-going-to-end-well

On the above Fox video, that Diana Tennis, Attorney, is or was that "PI", Dominic Casey's attorney. I do not buy what she says one iota.

Missing Michelle Parker: Police search canal behind home owned by suspect's father
Michelle Parker, 33, has been missing since Nov. 17.

By Bianca Prieto and Jeff Weiner, Orlando Sentinel
8:54 p.m. EST, December 9, 2011

Authorities continued their search for clues in the disappearance of Michelle Parker on Friday, diving into a canal behind a home owned by the father of suspect Dale Smith II.

Divers searching the small canal, which runs behind 6806 Chaucer Lane in the Sky Lake subdivision, through the morning and afternoon, but no discoveries were apparent.

Orange County property records show the home is owned by Dale W. Smith, the suspect's father.

It's not the first home owned by the suspect's father to draw law enforcement attention; a SWAT team search the Smith family residence on Rose Boulevard last month.

Neighbors say the home on Chaucer Lane is occupied by the elder Smith's sister.

It was one of several searches Friday in the effort to locate Parker or clues about her disappearance. Deputies on all-terrain vehicles were also in east Orange County, near Econlockhatchee Trail between Curry Ford Road and Lee Vista Boulevard.

Divers were also seen searching the water in Lake Conway, the same place where the missing woman's phone was found recently.

Also on Friday, lawyers for Smith and Parker's family discussed visitation for the couple's children.

The 3-year-old boy-girl twins have been staying with Smith and his family since Parker disappeared, but have spent the majority of their lives living with Parker at her mother Yvonne Stewart's home.

Stewart's attorney Matt Morgan said the details of the visitation agreement could be worked out as early as Friday or possibly on Monday, but it was unclear Friday evening if a deal had been reached.

The twins spent one night with the family earlier this month when the Department of Children and Families filed an emergency shelter order and removed them from Smith's care.

However, a judge ruled the twins were not in danger and ordered that they be returned to their father.

Meanwhile, a link for donations has been posted on a Facebook page for Smith's "friends and supporters," seeking $5,000 in support. The post says Smith "hasn't worked in two weeks because he is at home taking care of the two children" and "things are getting tight."

The link was posted on Wednesday, but by Friday afternoon, just $200 had been collected.

Friday's developments come on the heels of the discovery of Parker's iPhone, near a bridge between Lake Conway and Little Lake Conway in the Belle Isle area.

Parker's mother, Yvonne Stewart, broke down Thursday after learning her daughter's phone was located.

"It's become a lot more real to me that someone has done something terrible to my child," Stewart said Thursday. "I cannot even begin to tell you how much pain my heart is in today. I want to find my daughter."

The 33-year-old Geneva mother of three has not been seen since Nov. 17 when she dropped off her two youngest children with their father, Dale Smith II.

Police say Smith is the sole suspect in her disappearance, but have not charged him. The iPhone was found about halfway between his condominium and his parent's home, where he claimed to go after Parker dropped off their children.

Family, friends and volunteers have plastered Central Florida with missing-person posters with information about Parker's disappearance.

Parker, who works as a bartender at The Barn in Sanford, was reported missing by her family shortly after she failed to show up for her 8:30 p.m. shift Nov. 17.

On the day of her disappearance, an episode of "The People's Court" featuring Parker and Smith aired in which the couple argued about her lost engagement ring. It was taped in June.

Parker, a mother of three, was last seen wearing jeans, a Florida Gators hooded sweatshirt and a silver cross necklace.

Anyone with information about her disappearance can call Crimeline at 1-800-423-8477. Tipsters can remain anonymous and can earn a reward of up to $5,000.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/os-michelle-parker-missing-orlando-20111209,0,5665822.story

Her poor mom!! Video I cannot embed.

Morgan also said the children were accustomed to seeing their grandmother every day before this happened.

How very sad and confusing for those poor children...and grandmother!!

December 09, 2011 08:20 AM EST

The phone belonging to Michelle Parker has finally been revealed to have been found beneath a bridge. This finally comes after detectives wouldn't release how or where they found the significant item in this woman's disappearance.

Sources report that the iPhone 4 belonging to Michelle Parker was discovered under Belle Isle Bridge. It was discovered by dive teams who had to retrieve the phone from the water nearby its last known ping location. The distressing part of the phone's location, is that it was found between Dale Smith's home and his parents' home.

This kind of puts holes in the statements made by Dale Smith's attorney, who recently claimed his client had no time to harm Michelle L. Parker the day she went missing. He claims that an hour is not long enough for Dale to have disposed of her phone and her car before driving to his parents with his twins.

With the phone being just in this location, where could Michelle Parker be? Could the phone discovery be a decoy to throw police off the the abductor's tracks? If Dale Smith is responsible for this, the discovery of her iPhone 4 is only another piece of evidence against him in this developing case.

http://news.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980880352

Michelle Parker's Father: We won't give up until we find her

Friends and family hold a benefit for missing mother Michelle Parker.

By John W. Davis , Reporter
Last Updated: Saturday, December 10, 2011 5:39 PM

Tips: CrimeLine (800) 423-TIPS
Donations: Michelle Loree Parker Trust Fund (Paypal)

SANFORD --
Saturday, friends and family are holding a benefit for missing mother Michelle Parker.

People gathered at The Barn in Sanford for a benefit truck pull and auction. Parker worked at The Barn and didn't show up for her shift Nov 17., the day she disappeared.

Relatives from Parker's father's side of family gathered to talk to News 13 about their missing loved one, and what the community has done for them.

"We are extremely proud of how supportive and strong our family is," said Jennifer Gainor, Parker's cousin. "But not just even our family, strangers that have now become part of our family. I can't say enough -- but ."

"This is only part of my family," said Parker's father Brad Parker. "We won't give up until we find her."

News 13 checked with investigators and they said there's no "official" search for Michelle Saturday.

Friday, dive teams and other searchers weren't able to find any clues after searching two areas in Orlando. About half a dozen search and rescue teams scoured two areas of Orlando, including a canal behind the home of the father of the prime suspect, Dale Smith II.

———————————————

Michelle Parker Search: Timeline & Photo Gallery
———————————————

The biggest break in the case came Thursday when Orlando police confirmed they found Parker's cell phone at Lake Conway and in good condition. But that discovery was a devastating one for Parker's family- who's still waiting for any clue that will bring them closer to finding out what happened to Michelle Parker.

“There exact words to me were, 'we're out here because we got information that told us that we have reason to believe that there's information that we will also need here'," said Dustin Erickson, Parker's brother. "So they're really tight with what they can tell me the moment.”

If you have any information that could help find Michelle Parker, your asked to call Crimeline. You can remain anonymous. The number is 1-800-423-TIPS

http://www.cfnews13.com/article/news/2011/december/356336/Michelle-Parkers-Father:-We-wont-give-up-until-we-find-her

Michelle Parker: Canals Searched, Timeline Doesn't Add-up
December 10, 2011 05:35 AM EST

The search for Michelle Parker has led investigators to a canal behind the home of Dale Smith Sr. It appears that divers are diligently searching various bodies of water this week, but so far none of the searches have produced the missing Orlando mom.

The canal searched for Michelle Parker is at the corner of Sand Lake and Orange Blossom Trail behind the property inhabited by Dale Smith Sr. and his wife. This is not the home that was raided in the first week of Michelle's disappearance, and detectives never released any information regarding evidence that may have been discovered, if any. No information is being released about anything that may have been found in the canal search, either.

Most interestingly, the discovery of the iPhone 4 belonging to the missing woman seems to be the biggest piece of evidence in the case. It's also surrounded by a slew of questions regarding this investigation and the evidence pertaining to it. For instance, the cell phone belonging to the missing mom powered down on November 17th, the day she vanished. It also last pinged on this day (obviously). When divers discovered the phone, it was located a mile from its last known ping location, which was a month ago.

The Michelle Parker and Dale Smith timeline

When Michelle L. Parker was last seen, it was approximately 3:18 in the afternoon on the 17th of Nov. She was dropping her twins off at Dale Smith's condo. This was about one hour after she appeared on an aired episode of The People's Court. By 4:26 p.m., Michelle's brother texted to see where she was. She texted back one word, and one word only: "Waterford." Waterford Lakes is on the other side of town, from where her H2 was discovered the next day. Police are considering the possibility that this text message was a "decoy" or something similar, because the message doesn't match the last known ping to the woman's cell phone via nearby towers.

So, between 3:18 and 4:26 p.m. Michelle Parker fell out of contact. However, it was by 4:30 that Dale Smith had arrived at his parents' house with the twins he shares with the woman. His attorney says this timeline makes it impossible for Smith to be responsible for the woman's disappearance, but is it? The "Waterford" text appears to be a red herring of sorts, as all of the real physical evidence was located on the same side of town, opposite Waterford Lakes.

Here it is a month later, and this is all the evidence available in the case of the missing Orlando mom. Certainly detectives are sitting on other details that mustn't be released for the solidarity of the investigation. Hopefully they have a real reason to name Dale Smith a suspect, because the timeline doesn't appear to be adding up.

http://news.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980884337

Why are other media sources saying they dont know where the police found Michelle Parker`s iphone 4, with a distinguishing plaid Hurley case, when the Orlando Sentinel is saying they clearly found Michelle`s beloved iphone at the bottom of a lake (Conway) in Belle Isle? I choose to believe the Orlando Sentinel. An important chunk of circumstantial evidence: the location of said lake at 1924 Belle Isle is on a half-way beeline between Dale Smith II`s condominium and his parent`s home.

Just to clarify, the distance between the condominium and Dale`s parents house (on Rose Boulevard) is nine miles. Moreover, Mr. Smith Jr. was seen at 4:30 PM (Nov. 17th) by his parents, since he was dropping off his 3-year-old twins there. But it must be stated, however, the hallowed iphone 4 of Michelle`s could not have been dropped in the drink at this desperate time.

Remember, the last ping was at 8 PM with a phony text message: WATERFORD, sent to her brother at 4:30 PM, that crucial afternoon, when some kind of dire metamorphosis takes place. Remember also, that the cell phone was powered down near an abandoned tavern, Jesse Black`s Saloon, on East Ridge Road, which is close to 1924 Belle Isle. Now the lights are coming on; the haunts of this lake-bridge, brush, and cool waters alike-is a chosen spawning spot for our culprit!

An industrious endeavor for those of us who relish indulging in recreational, amateur sloothing, is studying timelines in order to sketch the conceivability (or lack of it) of a potential suspect to have committed a heinous crime. And since the Orlando police are openly pointing the finger at Dale Smith, we must see what he did with his time on the afternoon of November 17th.

First of all, I wonder if he has admitted to watching the stirring episode of The People`s Court, in which he seems to maintain his composure, and lets Michelle do the mud-slinging. This came on at 2 PM. Michelle comes over at 3:30 PM to drop off the kids. A surveillance video captures her Hummer shortly before this time, so we know exactly when she arrives at Dale`s condo.

Could Smith have done all these bad things in just one hour? Don`t forget, the kids were right there the whole time. Did a huge argument break out with Michelle when she arrives that day? Did they have a row about the TV show, which just hit the airwaves, mesmerizing millions all over the globe? We suspect so, but we`ll probably never know for sure.

And when did he abandon the Hummer? Did he go back to his condo, then remove the Glow-Mobile Tanning sticker, with the diamond-studded graphic, then parks the car at an arbitrary apartment complex? How could no one have seen him do this? Did anyone see the black Hummer still at Dale`s condo after 4:30 PM? He couldn`t have gotten rid of it before he goes over to his parents, do you think?

This timeline is very tight, unless Dale`s parents maybe move the line up a tidbit, to cover for their son? The cell phone could have been discarded much later on, which would jive with why the police found it just yesterday. And did a trucker see Dale emerging from the woods (on Belle Isle) just yesterday? And then there`s the dilemma of how and when Michelle was disposed of (wanted to leave this out, but it keeps popping up)?

http://thesop.org/story/20111209/michelle-parkers-cherished-iphone-4-was-found-in-lake-conway-at-1924-belle-isle.html

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/videogallery/66649966/News/iPhone's-discovery-devastates-mother

December 8, 2011
SANFORD — For the first time in the 21 days since Michelle Parker vanished, her mother seemed to lose her resolve.

The discovery of the missing woman's iPhone, found recently at the bottom of a lake in Belle Isle, was devastating for Yvonne Stewart who admitted publicly on Thursday that she fears her daughter may no longer be alive.

"It's become a lot more real to me that someone has done something terrible to my child," Stewart said during a short, emotional statement. "I cannot even begin to tell you how much pain my heart is in today. I want to find my daughter."

Until then, Stewart had remained outwardly hopeful and positive that her 33-year-old daughter would be found alive.

"I hate whoever did this to her," she said while standing with her husband Jeff Stewart outside of The Barn in Sanford. "She didn't deserve this."

A law-enforcement source told the Orlando Sentinel Thursday that the phone was found in water under a bridge that crosses over Lake Conway. It's not clear when divers located the phone, but a technology expert said the discovery could be a "treasure trove" of information for investigators.

Police have named Parker's ex-fiance, Dale Smith II, the sole suspect in her disappearance. He was the last person to see her on Nov. 17 when she dropped of their 3-year-old twins around 3:15 p.m. at his home on S. Semoran Boulevard.

Smith's lawyer Mark NeJame said his client immediately drove his children to his parent's home on Rose Boulevard and arrived there at 4:30 p.m.

The location where the cell phone was found is about half-way between Smith's condominium and the nine-mile route to his parent's home. Police have not charged Smith.

However, the discovery could be key in helping solve the case, said Hemu Nigam, founder of SSP Blue, a California-based Internet-safety company, and former prosecutor with the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office.

"A person's entire world — photos, who they talk to, who they text, where they go — is stored on their phones," Nigam said. "Finding this phone is like finding a golden nugget."

Nigam said the iPhone frequently sends out 'pings' which could allow detectives to backtrack the movements of the device before it was powered down.

Detectives have previously said the phone last 'pinged' around 8 p.m. on Nov. 17 in the area of Oak Ridge Road, less than a mile from where it was found.

Nigam said it's also possible that the phone, despite being found underwater, could still contain text messages, photos and other information that would be pertinent to the investigation.

Orlando police said the phone was in "remarkably good condition" and several photos were retrieved during a forensic examination.

Police spokesman Sgt. Vincent Ogburn said the phone is being tested for physical evidence that may lead to new clues in the missing mother's disappearance.

Detectives identified the phone's serial number and family members confirmed that the phone belongs to Parker.

Just before her disappearance, an episode of "The People's Court" featuring Parker and Smith aired in which the couple argued about her lost engagement ring. It was taped in June.

Parker, a mother of three, was last seen wearing jeans, a Florida Gators hooded sweatshirt and a silver cross necklace.


Anyone with information about her disappearance can call Crimeline at 1-800-423-8477. Tipsters can remain anonymous and can earn a reward of up to $5,000.


http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/os-michelle-parker-missing-iphone-found-20111208,0,7030430.story

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/os-parkers-cell-phone-found-20111208,0,3474562.graphic

Michelle Parker: Suspects Dale Smith’s parents questioned, two searches underway

Isabelle Zehnder, Missing Persons Examiner
December 9, 2011

ORLANDO, Florida (Isabelle Zehnder reporting) – Earlier this week the parents of Dale Wayne Smith II, the ex-fiancé of missing Orlando, Florida mom Michelle Parker, were subpoenaed to answer questions under oath at the state attorney’s office, now two searches are underway in areas near their home.

Michelle went missing Nov. 17 after dropping her children off at Smith’s home. He is now the prime suspect in her disappearance. Smith has a frightening past. Read: Missing FL mom's ex charged with domestic battery, wife dies of brain injury. He still has custody of their 3-year-old twins. Read: Susan Murphy-Milano outraged at judge's decision to return twins to ex-fiancé.

Officials told Dustin Erickson, Michelle’s brother, that “they are going to be out here, and they are going to be searching until they find her.”

WESH reports that searchers from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office converged on a canal between Lake Ellenor and Lake Conway near Orange Blossom Trail and Jordan Avenue. Both lakes have been visited previously in the investigation.

The second search location was along Econlockhatchee Trail between Curry Ford Road and Lee Vista Boulevard.

Investigators with the Orlando Police Department said the first search location was directly behind a rental property owned by Smith’s father, Dale Smith Sr.

The location is also west of the location where Parker’s cellphone was found earlier in the week. The same dive team that found the phone was involved in Friday’s search.

Smith's mother, Tamara Smith, was subpoenaed earlier this week to answer questions under oath at the state attorney's office. Local attorney Richard Hornsby told the news station that he went with Tamara Smith and advised her regarding the process, noting that she answered any and all questions she was asked.

Hornsby added that Tamara Smith will continue cooperating with police, as she is concerned about her grandchildren and her son. She also wants Parker found, News 13 reported.

Smith’s father was also subpoenaed earlier this week, also to answer questions under oath at the state attorney’s office. After about 90 minutes of intense questioning, WESH reports, he appeared nervous and would not comment to reporters.

Smith Sr. was arrested and released when 12 SWAT team members swarmed his home, broke down his door, and initiated the use of pepper spray nearly two weeks ago.

The second search location near the Orlando Magic Recreation Center off Econlockhatchee Trail is close to Smith’s home.

On Thursday, police announced Michelle’s iPhone was found under a bridge. The discovery has left Michelle’s family very sad, fearing the worst for their loved one. Read: Michelle Parker’s iPhone found, mom fears missing daughter is dead.

“There’s a possibility I might never see my sister again, and that something I have to deal with,” Michelle’s brother, Dustin Erickson said.

Dustin said authorities were vague as to why they had launched the search at the second location, but said they’re going to keep on looking until they find his sister.

"The only word they use right now is that they have information that this is a place where they could possibly find information," Dustin Erickson said. "They still are not telling me exactly what it is."

Michelle's disappearance:

Michelle Parker, 33, hasn’t been seen since Nov. 17. She was last seen on surveillance video at 3:15 p.m. in an east Orange County neighborhood. She was seen driving to her ex-fiancé, Dale Wayne Smith II’s home dropping off their 3-year-old twins.

She disappeared the same day she and Smith appeared on an episode of The People’s Court. The show centered on who would be responsible to pay for a $5,000 engagement ring that Michelle admittedly threw at Dale at a hotel, and that went over a balcony.

Michelle is described as a white female with short brown hair. She is 5’6” tall and was last seen wearing a silver-cross necklace, jeans, and a Florida Gator’s zip-up hoodie.

At 4:26 p.m. her brother, Dustin Erickson, received a text message from Michelle’s iPhone suggesting she was in the Waterford Lakes area, also on the county’s east side.

By 8 p.m. Michelle’s iPhone pinged in the area of Oakridge Road near Belle Isle, more than seven miles from where she was last seen. Her phone was powered down in that area and has not been recovered.

The next day police found her black H3 Hummer license plate AWG-M26 in the parking lot of Walden Palms Apartments, 4700 Walden Circle. Decals for her Glow mobile-tanning business had been removed from the windows. From there the trail has grown cold.

A $5,000 reward is being offered in the case.

Police are urging anyone with information about the case to call Crimeline at 1-800-423-8477.

http://www.examiner.com/missing-persons-in-national/michelle-parker-suspects-parents-questioned-now-two-searches-underway

The search for Michelle Parker will continue Monday

Friends and family hold a benefit for missing mother Michelle Parker.

By John W. Davis , Reporter
Last Updated: Sunday, December 11, 2011 9:37 PM

SANFORD --
The search will continue Monday for Michelle Parker, the woman who disappeared and has not been seen since Nov. 17.

This weekend hundreds of supporters attended events that benefitted Parker's children. People gathered at The Barn in Sanford for a benefit truck pull and auction. Parker worked at The Barn and didn't show up for her shift the day she disappeared.

Relatives from Parker's father's side of family gathered to talk to News 13 about their missing loved one, and what the community has done for them.

"We are extremely proud of how supportive and strong our family is," said Jennifer Gainor, Parker's cousin. "But not just even our family, strangers that have now become part of our family. I can't say enough -- but ."

"This is only part of my family," said Parker's father Brad Parker. "We won't give up until we find her."

News 13 checked with investigators and they said there's no "official" search for Michelle Saturday.

Friday, dive teams and other searchers weren't able to find any clues after searching two areas in Orlando. About half a dozen search and rescue teams scoured two areas of Orlando, including a canal behind the home of the father of the prime suspect, Dale Smith II.

The biggest break in the case came Thursday when Orlando police confirmed they found Parker's cell phone at Lake Conway and in good condition. But that discovery was a devastating one for Parker's family- who's still waiting for any clue that will bring them closer to finding out what happened to Michelle Parker.

“There exact words to me were, 'we're out here because we got information that told us that we have reason to believe that there's information that we will also need here'," said Dustin Erickson, Parker's brother. "So they're really tight with what they can tell me the moment.”

If you have any information that could help find Michelle Parker, your asked to call Crimeline. You can remain anonymous. The number is 1-800-423-TIPS.

http://www.cfnews13.com/article/news/2011/december/356336/The-search-for-Michelle-Parker-will-continue-Monday

So sad. This isn't going to have a happy ending. JMOO.

By Amanda Evans, Reporter
Last Updated: Monday, December 12, 2011 7:12 AM

SANFORD --
Michelle Parker's family said they are not losing hope, and now it helps to spend time with the missing Orlando woman's kids.

Parker's mother, Yvonne Stewart, finally got to see her twin grandchildren over the weekend.

Attorney Matt Morgan, who is representing Parker's family, spoke to Fox Sunday night:

We were able to come to an agreement in regards to the visitation, regarding the grandchildren. Yvonne is spending the evening decorating the Christmas tree with the children, and she's, you know, beyond happy to be with them right now.

The whole family, Lauren [Erickson, Parker's sister], spent time with them today, and everyone's very happy right now.

Parker's 3-year-old son and daughter had been staying with their father, Dale Smith II, since their mother dropped them off with him on November 17. She has not been seen since.

Orlando police have called Smith their prime suspect in Parker's disappearance, but he has not been arrested or charged in the case.

Parker's family said the children do not know their mother has not been seen for nearly a month. Family members have told the kids that their mother is on vacation.

The family held several fundraisers over the weekend to keep the search effort going, and to help care for Parker's three children while their mother is missing. However, they said the money is not being given to Smith.

If you know anything about Michelle Parker's disappearance, call CrimeLine at (800) 423-TIPS (8477). You are allowed to remain anonymous, and may be eligible for a reward.

http://www.cfnews13.com/article/news/2011/december/357121/Michelle-Parkers-family-reaches-custody-agreement-with-ex-fiancé

Michelle Parker's Family Finds Joy in New Custody Agreement
December 12, 2011 11:45 AM EST

There has been a new development in the missing person's case of Michelle Parker. Although the woman remains missing, Michelle's family is now working together with Dale Smith on a custody agreement that allows the missing woman's family to see her children. And over the weekend, Michelle's mother got to spend time with her daughter's twins.

The Parker family lawyer spoke out late Sunday night about the new custody agreement between Smith and the Parker family. "We were able to come to an agreement in regards to the visitation, regarding the grandchildren. Yvonne is spending the evening decorating the Christmas tree with the children, and she's, you know, beyond happy to be with them right now."

Of course, there is still a huge piece missing; Michelle Parker. The family is determined to find her but the exhaustive searches are making them depressed. The discovery of Michelle's cell phone has her mother worried and fearing the worst. And since the death of Michelle Parker has always been a possibility, the family is focusing on her children and making every day as 'normal' as possible.

In addition to spending time with Michelle Parker's children and getting ready for Christmas, the family has set up several fundraisers in hopes of getting money for the children while Michelle remains missing. No money has been giving to Smith seeing as he is still the primary suspect. It is admirable for the family to try and make the children's lives as normal as possible now that their mother is missing.

http://news.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980894359

New developments in search for missing Orlando mom

Updated: Monday, 12 Dec 2011, 7:44 PM EST
Published : Monday, 12 Dec 2011, 7:42 PM EST

ORLANDO, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - There are two new developments in the search for Orlando missing mom Michelle Parker.

There were some happy moments for Parker's family this past weekend. They got to spent quite a bit of time with Michelle's 3-year-old twins. Their attorney worked out an agreement with the father of the twins, 40-year-old Dale Smith, who also happens to be the prime suspect in Parker's disappearance.

Related: Michelle Parker Coverage
The 33-year-old disappeared on Nov. 17 after the airing of an episode of "The People's Court" on which she and ex-fiancé Smith appeared to settle a dispute over a $5,000 engagement ring.

FOX 35 also learned on Monday that Parker's family will be scaling back the number of days their command post will be open. Parker's family was not at "The Barn" in Sanford. Instead, they sat for an interview for a prime time show in hopes of getting Michelle's picture out to a new audience.
There is no word yet on what the new hours will be for the command center. Friends said that just because the command center won't be open as much, it doesn't mean they will scale back their search efforts.

"There's days I have to go to work, but right after I get off work, I just continue to search. She never leaves my mind," said Amber Block, a friend of Michelle's. "I just want answers, and I really want to find her, and I hope to find her safe and sound."

Parker's family tell us that they are thankful for everyone who has helped search and contributed to a trust set up to help pay for their search efforts as well as to help pay for expenses for her children.

If you'd like to contribute to the trust, log on to ForThePeople.com and look for the Michelle Parker section.

Divers search area canals
Dive teams with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office searched two locations on Friday in their investigation into the disappearance of missing Orlando mother Michelle Parker.

Divers combed canal near the intersection of Sand Lake and Orange Blossom Trail and also searched various locations in East Orange County near the Econlockhatchee Trail between the area of Curry Ford Road and Lee Vista Blvd.

The new search follows the discovery of Parker’s cell phone which was located under a bridge along Hoffner Ave. in the community of Belle Isle.

The phone pinged a tower about a mile away from where it was found. Detectives said it pinged around 8 p.m. on Nov. 17th.

The phone is undergoing forensic testing and police are hoping it will provide physical evidence and/or data which will assist in their investigation. Investigtors say Parker's family identified the phone and the serial number confirms that it is Michelle Parker's phone.

Read more: http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/news/local/121211-divers-searching-for-michelle-parker#ixzz1gNjHqubK

Police: Michelle Parker's Cellphone Yields Clues

Parker's Mother Speaks To 'Dateline'

POSTED: 3:08 pm EST December 13, 2011
UPDATED: 4:40 pm EST December 13, 2011

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Orlando's police chief said the investigation into the Michelle Parker disappearance remains active.

Chief Paul Rooney said investigators are getting leads from the discovery of Parker's cellphone. The lead detective in the case said they're still busy and optimistic they'll find answers for the victim's family.

"It's still priority No. 1," Rooney said.

Despite an absence of high-profile searches this week, Rooney said they're still busy following leads. Rooney confirmed Parker's phone was found underwater and suggested they're getting useful information from it.

"We are still following up relentlessly on tips from Crimeline, on leads we may be getting from her cellphone," Rooney said.

"I'm coming up on 21 years at OPD, and this is the most massive effort I've ever been involved in," Detective Mike Moreschi said.

During a year-in-review presentation on Orlando's crime statistics, Moreschi said he's confident the three places they've looked for clues have been searched thoroughly.

"We're constantly keeping going and trying to get this family some answers, and I'm optimistic we will despite the time that has gone by," Moreschi said.

"It broke my heart," mother Yvonne Stewart said.

During an interview with "Dateline" this week, Michelle Parker's mother said the discovery of the phone brought with it overwhelming feelings of despair.

"That was my hope. They would never find that phone, and that one day she would get to it. That's when I started to think this isn't going to end well," Stewart said.

Rooney said he stands behind his decision to declare Dale Smith Jr. a suspect early in the investigation.

Read more: http://www.wesh.com/news/29988425/detail.html#ixzz1gShNGizt

video at above link.

Benefit for Michelle Parker Thursday as search continues

Last Updated: Wednesday, December 14, 2011 9:11 PM

December 17 will mark one month since Michelle Parker disappeared after dropping her young twins off at their father's house.

No major developments have come out since Parker's cell phone was found earlier this month, but volunteers continue to work to help the family in any way they can.

Another benefit for Parker's children will be held Thursday at Alligator Alley in Kissimmee.

Country singer Josh Thompson will perform, and the Eagle Riders Motorcycle Club will also be there.

The benefit is from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Alligator Alley is on West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway.

Chief Paul Rooney spoke about the case of the 33-year-old missing mother of three Tuesday after giving a presentation on crime activity for the year.

Rooney said investigators are still following up on tips from CrimeLine and potential leads from the cellphone found last week.

The cellphone was found under water, according to Rooney, but investigators have said it was in remarkably good condition.

As for the only suspect in the case, Rooney said, it was a tactical decision to name Dale Smith II the primary suspect, and part of the investigative strategy.

http://www.cfnews13.com/article/news/2011/december/358254/Benefit-for-Michelle-Parker-Thursday-as-search-continues

Michelle Parker: Investigator Optimistic about Discovery of Missing Woman
December 14, 2011 02:01 PM EST

Michelle Parker is still missing despite investigators finding her cell phone last week in one of the many searches that have been planned in her disappearance. Although Michelle's mother was devastated when the cell phone was discovered, investigator Mike Moreschi is optimistic about the results of this case despite the amount of time that has passed. "I'm coming up on my twenty-first year here at Orlando Police, and this is the most massive effort I've been involved with," the detective shared with My Fox Orlando. "I'm optimistic, despite the time that's gone by since she was missing."

At this point, the searches for Michelle Parker have been scaled back, but investigators have not given up on the missing woman. They are still looking and following up on leads, including the information the cell phone reveals. "We have a lot to do," Moreschi explains when answering questions about their next steps in the case.

The information discovered on Michelle Parker's iPhone has yet to be made public, so it is hard to determine if investigators scaled back the search on purpose because they have new leads as to where Michelle is.

If investigators are optimistic about Michelle Parker, perhaps her mother will start believing the same thing. At this point, there have been no arrests or charges laid in her disappearance.

http://news.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980905780

Search for Missing Florida Mother Michelle Parker Moves to New City

Published December 15, 2011
| FoxNews.com

The investigation around a central Florida mother who disappeared after a television show appearance last month is moving to a nearby city.

The Orlando Sentinel reported that family and friends of Michelle Parker will be distributing fliers Thursday in Kissimmee. The group of volunteers is not doing foot searches, but there will also be a benefit held there for her children.

A mother of three, the 33-year-old Parker was last seen on Nov. 17. It was the same day an episode of "The People's Court" aired in which Parker and 40-year-old ex-fiance Dale Smith argued over who was responsible for the cost of a missing $5,000 engagement ring.
Authorities say Smith, 40, is their only suspect at this point, though he has not been charged in Parker's disappearance.

On the show, Parker described a tumultuous relationship with Smith that at times she said became violent.
"He gets pretty malicious and vindictive," she told the courtroom, "and he's a mean person, especially when he's been drinking."

"He shouldn't have put his hands on me and he shouldn't have put his hands on me prior. He shouldn't have left me three or four times over the past year and a half that we've been together," she said.

Parker's vehicle was found abandoned the day after she disappeared, and her family initially thought she was the victim of a carjacking.

She was last seen wearing jeans, a Florida Gators hooded sweatshirt and a silver cross necklace. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is being urged to call Crimeline at 1-800-423-8477.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/12/15/search-for-missing-florida-mother-michelle-parker-moves-to-new-city/#ixzz1gd0JSGiC