LENAWEE COUNTY, Mich. – Human remains were found during a search of property that belongs to a Michigan man who has been charged with murder in his wife’s disappearance.
Dee Warner was reported missing by her family in 2021. Her husband, Dale Warner, was arrested in 2023 and charged with open murder.
Here’s everything we know about the Dee Warner murder case:
Dee Warner reported missing
Dee Warner, 52, was reported missing on April 25, 2021. She was last seen at her home on Mugner Road in Tipton, Michigan, according to police.
Her cellphone was dead and there was no activity on her bank accounts. Crime Stoppers asked for help in the search on May 6, 2021.
Dee Warner’s family said Dee Warner ran a trucking company from the barns in the backyard of her home. She is a mother to five children.
Search for remains
The Lenawee County Sheriff’s Office, Michigan State Police, and the FBI, and other departments have been involved in several unsuccessful searches for human remains in this case.
On Oct. 11, 2021, deputies searched Dee Warner’s home and surrounding property. Investigators used dogs and ground-penetrating radar to aid in the search. The two-day search was unsuccessful.
---> Police do not locate missing Lenawee County woman Dee Warner during 2-day search
In August 2022, Michigan State Police announced that they would be taking over the investigation into Dee Warner’s disappearance.
In May 2023, Michigan State Police confirmed that new searches were being conducted along M-50 in Lenawee County.
---> Michigan State Police take over investigation into disappearance of Lenawee County woman Dee Warner
Husband charged with murder
On Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, Michigan State Police said that her husband had been arrested in connection with her death.
Dale John Warner, 53, of Tipton, was taken into custody at his home. He was charged with open murder and tampering with evidence.
Dale Warner to go to trial
On Friday, June 7, 2024, a judge ruled that there was enough evidence for Dale Warner to go to trial for murder.
Bodycam footage was shown in court during a preliminary exam hearing. The bodycam footage shows Dale Warner speaking to an officer the day after his wife went missing. He acted nonchalant and told the officer that it’s not unusual for his wife to take off.
“She’s gone, she took all her bags,” he told the officer. “So somebody picked her up, so she’s with someone, somewhere.”
Dee Warner’s friend took the stand and said that Dee Warner told her about abuse in the relationship.
“The very last thing she ever said to me, ever, was that she was tired and that it was time to talk to a lawyer,” the friend said.
---> Son reveals troubled marriage, financial struggles in Dee Warner’s Lenawee County murder trial
---> Dee Warner’s daughter testifies in prelim exam of husband charged with murder in Lenawee County
Human remains found
On Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024, Michigan State Police said that human remains were found during a search of Dale Warner’s property in Lenawee County.
The remains are still being recovered from where they were found. Police said there is still a “great deal of work and testing” that needs to be completed before they can confirm the identity of the remains.
Dale Warner was arraigned on June 20, 2024. He is expected back in court for a pretrial hearing in Lenawee Circuit Court at 8:15 a.m. on Sept. 4, 2024.