Michelle Parker: Missing Mom's Fiance Has Domestic Battery Conviction
ORLANDO, Fla. Nov. 23, 2011 — -- The ex-fiance of a woman who disappeared after appearing on "The Peoples' Court" was booted out of the Marines after being charged with domestic battery and friends say he would abandon his girlfriend in out of the way places.
The missing woman, Michelle Parker, had a set of twins and a tumultuous relationship with ex-fiance Dale Smith. She was last seen dropping of the twins at Smith's house.
At the time she vanished last Thursday, however, she was excited about a man she had been dating, her friend Angela Launer told ABCNews.com.
Police have said that Smith is not a suspect in Parker's disappearance, but details about their stormy life together that sent them to the Peoples' Court are emerging.
"I know he hurt her many times—dropped her off in areas with no shoes. Took off and left her in Georgia by herself," Launer said in an emotional interview marked by tears and sobs.
Launer, 34, described the relationship that played out on national television as "rocky" and "tense."
"He hurt my best friend," she said. "I didn't like him because he made her cry. No one should ever be treated that way."
This week, it was revealed that Parker sought a restraining order from Smith in 2009, but was denied for lack of evidence.
ABC News also learned that Smith was dishonorably discharged from the Marines in 2003 following a string of court martials, including military convictions for drug possession and domestic battery.
Parker, 33, was last seen on Thursday afternoon when she dropped off her and Smith's 3-year-old twins at his home. Parker also has an 11-year-old from a previous relationship.
Earlier in the day an episode of "The Peoples' Court" aired in which Parker and Smith battled over whether Parker had to pay for a $5,000 engagement ring she tossed away during one of their spats. The judge ruled the two should split the cost.
Launer said that she and Parker used to watch court TV shows and make fun of the people on the shows. When Smith decided he wanted to go on the show to resolve the couple's dispute over the ring, Parker was reluctant but went.
"She felt very torn apart by that judge. It was humiliating," Launer said. "She didn't want anyone to know it was going to air. There were a handful of people who knew it was going to air."
In the episode, the couple hurled accusations at each other and fought nastily. A court reporter called their relationship a "fatal attraction."
Parker's family has conceded that Smith's relationship with Parker was volatile, but they have also said that Smith is a dedicated and loving father who cares for Parker, even when they don't get along.
Launer said that Parker's family and friends are devastated and struggling with her disappearance, especially on the eve of the holiday season.
"I can't imagine what her family is going through with tomorrow being Thanksgiving," Launer said. "We want our friend back. We want her to be with her children. Christmas is coming and it's just not fair. It's hard for us to eat. It's hard for us to sleep. We don't know what she's doing, if she needs water or food."
Parker had been trying to move on with her life and was happy in a new relationship with a man named Nate Mitchell.
"She had someone new in her life who she felt was amazing. She thought the world of him," Launer said. "She couldn't stop talking about him and she glowed."
Mitchell was one of many topics of conversation between Parker and Launer when they got together the night before Parker disappeared.
Launer said that nothing seemed wrong with Parker when she saw her Wednesday night. Parker had made plans to have an oyster dinner with her dad on Friday night and the friends had planned a bonfire for Saturday so that Launer could meet Mitchell for the first time.
"She was not off one bit," Launer said. "She was her usual laughing, cutting up self."
