ORLANDO, Fla.,None — A picture of a 33-year-old missing mother of three wearing a cross necklace was released on Wednesday, and Orlando police said the necklace may be a key piece of evidence in the case. Orlando police said Michelle Parker was also wearing a ring when she disappeared.
Her mother, Yvonne Stewart, said they both have the same ring.
"People may go, 'Oh, I saw that ring,' or 'I saw that necklace.' Call it in if you saw somebody wearing it," Stewart said.
Parker went missing on Thursday hours after an episode of "The People's Court" aired where she appeared with her ex-fiance, Dale Smith, to argue about an engagement ring.
Parker’s family confirmed to police that she was wearing the same cross necklace at the time of her disappearance. Police said the necklace may be a key piece of evidence, and if anyone has found the necklace or has information, they should contact CrimeLine at 1-800-423-TIPS.
During the episode of "The People's Court," Parker accused Smith of being violent.
WFTV obtained military records for Smith on Wednesday morning. They show he was dishonorably discharged from the Marines in 2003. Records from the Pentagon show Smith was court-martialed in 2001 on several charges, including domestic battery and drug possession.
"Why are you not looking closer at this guy?" WFTV reporter Tim Barber asked.
"We are looking into everything. There is a lot to any investigation and we are not ruling anything out," Sgt. Jim Young of the Orlando Police Department said.
Smith's rank was downgraded from sergeant to private.
Meanwhile, WFTV spoke to Parker's current boyfriend, Nathan Mitchell.
He said he got a text from Parker on Thursday, but then hasn't heard from her since.
"All I’ve done is cried for the last five days. I wake up in the middle of the night crying, so it's, I wish, I want her back," said Mitchell.
They had only been dating for a month, but since Parker disappeared Mitchell has been helping with the volunteers trying to find her.
"I was at the peak of my happiness; everyday would get brighter and better," said Mitchell. "She's the girl that everybody looks for, they wish they had."
He told WFTV he and Parker were planning to go out to dinner before she went to work last Thursday. But after a text from her that afternoon, Mitchell said did not hear from his girlfriend again.
"I tried to text her a few times and Lauren (Parker's sister) called me up, asked if I had seen her. Then, a half an hour later all hell broke loose," said Mitchell.
Since then, Mitchell, Parker's family, and dozens of volunteers have been looking for the missing mother of three.
"In my heart of hearts I believe she is still out there," said Parker's sister Lauren Erickson. "I believe I will see my sister again."
Detectives said the day Parker disappeared she dropped off her 3-year-old twins with Smith, who is their father.
Parker's family denies Smith is involved and said he has been taking care of the kids. Parker also has an 11-year-old son.
In the last six days, police have not discussed any significant leads or clues aside from Parker's Hummer, which was found in a parking lot near the Mall at Millenia last Friday.
Police are also looking for Parker's iPhone. It stopped transmitting in the area of Oak Ridge Road.
WFTV
