Dale Smith Jr. arrest affidavit to be unsealed in Michelle Parker case

An Orange County judge has agreed to unseal the 46-page arrest affidavit regarding Dale Smith Jr., who was arrested on October 14, 2026, for the second-degree murder of his former fiancée, Michelle Parker.

Parker has been missing since November 17, 2011, after dropping her children off at the home of Smith. Her body has not yet been located. Investigators noted that advancements in digital forensics allowed them to reexamine old evidence, leading to the recent charges. Notably, an episode of ‘The People’s Court’ featuring a dispute between Parker and Smith aired on the same day she disappeared.

While prosecutors previously sought to keep the document confidential to protect ongoing interviews, the judge granted a motion to unseal the records. Additionally, a temporary gag order was issued against defense attorney Rajan Joshi, prohibiting him from commenting on the case or the affidavit once released.