ORLANDO, Fla. — Michelle Parker would’ve celebrated her 47th birthday on Jan. 20. But Parker vanished more than 14 years ago, leaving her family with a lot of lingering questions. 

What You Need To Know

Michelle Parker went missing on Nov. 17, 2011, after dropping off her 3-year old twins at the home of their father and ex-fiance — Dale Smith

Her disappearance grabbed national headlines because the day she went missing, an episode of The People’s Court aired which documented a dispute between Smith and Parker

The Orlando Police Department named Smith a prime suspect, but he has never faced charges. And in the 14 years since, there has been no sign of Parker, and still no answers as to what happened

Spectrum News reached out to the Orlando Police Department with questions about the case, including whether police are now circling back to evidence in the case using new technology. OPD responded by saying that because it is an active investigation, there is no new information available

When years of waiting didn’t provide answers as to what happened to her daughter, Yvonne Stewart created a memorial for her daughter outside her home.

“I didn’t have a place to honor her,” said Stewart. “I decided, ‘You know what, I’m going to honor her. I’m going to build a little memorial.’ And it gives me joy because I see her every single day, and I say hello. And I’m really grateful to have this.”

Parker went missing on Nov. 17, 2011, after dropping off her 3-year-old twins at the home of their father and ex-fiance, Dale Smith. Her disappearance grabbed national headlines because the day she went missing, an episode of The People’s Court aired that documented a dispute between Smith and Parker.

The Orlando Police Department named Smith a prime suspect, but he has never faced charges. And in the 14 years since, there has been no sign of Parker and still no answers as to what happened.

“If there’s something I can’t control, I have to let it go and move beyond it,” said Stewart. “But deep inside, one day I’m really hoping for some justice for her. The person that’s responsible for this … there’s a special place in hell for them.”

The emergence of new technology, like AI, gives Stewart new hope.

She said she still checks in often with the Orlando Police Department and those investigating Parker’s case.

“When you get new eyes on her case and everything is laid out, and she’s got assistants and they’re going through it, that gives me hope,” said Stewart.

Michelle Parker’s stepmother, Gayle Parker, said she also believes new technology brings new hope.

“Maybe some of this technology will lead us to answers,” said Parker.

They hope for answers to questions they have been asking for more than 14 years.

“How did this happen, what happened to her, what was she going through, what did she feel like, was she scared to death, was it something that happened quick?” said Parker.

But even with new technology, she believes the answers could ultimately lie with someone who knows something.

“We just need the real truth – somebody who actually knows something to speak up,” said Parker.

Michelle’s mother says there’s one thing she is sure of.

“I know she’s in heaven, I have no doubt about that,” said Stewart. 

Spectrum News reached out to the Orlando Police Department with questions about the case, including whether police are now circling back to evidence in the case using new technology.

OPD responded by saying that because it is an active investigation, there is no new information available.