New Details Emerge In 2011 Killing Of FL Mother Who Appeared On 'The People's Court': Report

ORLANDO, FL — Nearly 15 years after a Florida mother vanished following an appearance on the television show "The People's Court," newly unsealed court documents reveal investigators believe her former fiancé strangled her to death hours after the episode aired.

ABC News reported on Wednesday that a 46-page arrest warrant affidavit released this week outlines new evidence against Dale Smith Jr., 55, who was arrested Oct. 14 and charged with second-degree murder in the presumed death of Michelle Parker.

The 33-year-old mother of three disappeared Nov. 17, 2011, after dropping off the couple's 3-year-old twins at Smith's Orlando home.

Her body has never been recovered.

Earlier that day, the former couple had appeared in a prerecorded episode of "The People's Court" involving a dispute over a missing engagement ring.

Smith had sought $5,000 after claiming Parker threw the ring over a hotel balcony during an argument.

The show's judge ultimately ordered Parker to pay Smith $2,500.

According to ABC News, investigators now believe Smith killed Parker inside his home following a series of heated text messages involving their children, their troubled relationship and disagreements over sex.

The newly released affidavit also details scratches and abrasions photographed on Smith's face, wrist and elbows during an interview with detectives the day after Parker disappeared. Investigators now believe those injuries could have been sustained while Parker fought back against her attacker.

Court records also cited advances in digital forensic technology that allowed investigators to reexamine cellphone records originally obtained in 2011.

Those records allegedly contradict Smith's account of Parker's final visit to his home.

Smith initially told investigators Parker arrived around 4 p.m. and departed approximately 10 minutes later. However, investigators say cellphone data places Parker at the residence beginning at 3:18 p.m. and indicates she remained there for more than an hour.

ABC News also reported that investigators believe Smith deleted messages from Parker's cellphone before disposing of it in Lake Conway, where it was subsequently recovered.

The affidavit further describes a history of domestic violence allegations involving Smith, including accounts from Parker's family and friends who characterized their relationship as volatile.

Investigators also noted that Smith never attempted to call or text Parker after her disappearance, despite records showing the former couple exchanged more than 1,000 text messages and 21 phone calls during the preceding seven weeks.

Smith has pleaded not guilty and remains jailed without bond.

His attorney, Rajan Joshi, told ABC News that Smith has maintained his innocence since Parker disappeared and cooperated with investigators during the original investigation.