ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Police Department has arrested the former fiancé of missing woman Michelle Parker, nearly 15 years after her disappearance.
Police Chief Eric Smith announced that Dale Smith was arrested Wednesday on a charge of second-degree murder.
[WATCH: Dale Smith perp walk]
“Over the past year, we expanded our investigative team looking into this case and took a fresh, focused look at all of the evidence. We reexamined testimony and conflicting statements made by the suspect, and used advanced and digital forensics to uncover and analyze additional evidence,” Smith said.
[RAW VIDEO: Watch Orlando Police press conference about arrest in Michelle Parker case]
Michelle Parker, 33, an Orlando woman, was last seen on Nov. 17, 2011, when she dropped her children off at Smith’s home.
That same day, Parker had appeared on an episode of “The People’s Court” with Smith in a dispute over a $5,000 engagement ring.
She was last seen at the Carter Glen Condominiums in the Lee Vista area.
Detectives say new evidence was found in the past year using more advanced technology, and older evidence was reexamined. The newer technology included digital forensics that revealed more detailed location data and communications between devices.
Chief Smith said Dale Smith was surprised to be arrested at his place of work Wednesday.
Chief Smith also said that though many of the original people who worked on the case had retired, they never stopped working on the case.
These are all full-time homicide detectives. They’re working a full homicide load,” Smith said. “With the less number of homicides that we’re working right now, in a little bit of a drop in violent crime that freed them up to do what they need to do, to really take the time to look at this case and bring closure to the family.”
State Attorney Monique Worrell says prosecutors are starting with second-degree murder charges, but they could escalate as the evidence allows.
Worrell said her office worked with the Orlando Police Department before the arrest was made. Worrell would not explain what that collaboration looked like.
“I want to commend the office of the state attorney and the prosecutors who worked collaboratively with law enforcement in order to bring this case to this point,” Worrell said.
This is a developing story. Stay with News 6 for updates.
[WATCH: 1:30PM Breaking News update on arrest in Michelle Parker cold case]
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