Phone Data Resolves 2011 Disappearance

Two cell phones traveled west for 14 minutes after a woman was last seen alive, contradicting her stated plan to drive north. This digital trail led prosecutors to charge Dale Smith Jr. with second-degree murder in the 2011 disappearance of Michelle Parker.

Court documents unsealed on Tuesday reveal that Smith, now 55, was taken into custody on October 14. Parker, who was 33 at the time, was last seen on November 17, 2011. The pair shared custody of twins and had recently appeared in a taping of The People's Court to resolve a dispute over a $5,000 engagement ring.

Surveillance footage shows Parker's Hummer arriving at Smith's residence at 3:18 p.m. Smith claimed she left ten minutes after dropping off the children. However, phone records indicate both devices departed the home simultaneously at 4:18 p.m. By 4:32 p.m., the phones were moving west, away from Parker's intended route to pick up her oldest son.

Parker's brother, Dustin Erickson, texted her that afternoon to ask her location. Her phone automatically replied with "Waterford," referring to a shopping mall 12 miles northeast of Smith's home. The affidavit notes her phone never traveled in that direction, and Erickson said she had no reason to lie about her whereabouts.

Smith told investigators he believed Parker was hiding after the court episode aired. Phone records show he never contacted her again after November 17, 2011. Police cited a history of domestic violence in the arrest warrant. Jill Van Mechelen, a previous ex-fiancée, testified that Smith strangled her and threatened to kill her and her father.

Smith's attorney declined to comment on Wednesday due to a court-imposed gag order. The next court date has not yet been set.