Human remains found on husband's Lenawee County property identified as Dee Warner, death ruled a homicide

(WWJ) — Michigan State Police officials on Wednesday evening confirmed the human remains found on the Lenawee County property of Dale Warner belong to his wife, Dee Warner, who was reported missing more than three years ago.

Last weekend MSP officials announced that human remains were found on the property during the execution of a search warrant. In a Tuesday update , officials said an autopsy was inconclusive and more testing was needed.

Wednesday evening MSP officials announced the Jackson County Medical Examiner had positively identified the remains as Dee Warner and her death has been ruled a homicide

The manner of death has been confirmed, but is being withheld at this time as authorities continue to investigate. MSP officials said investigators will “continue to gather evidence and work with the Lenawee County Prosecutor’s Office to ensure a conviction.”

Dee Warner, then 52, was last seen at the home she shared with Dale in late April of 2021 on Munger Road in Franklin Township, about 10 miles north of Adrian. Family members reported her missing on April 25.

Last November police arrested Dale Warner in connection with her disappearance. He was charged with open murder and tampering with evidence, despite the fact that her body hadn’t been found at the time.

She was declared dead in March 2024 and in June Warner was bound over for trial for his wife’s presumed death.

Dee Warner was a mother of five adult children from a previous marriage, a grandmother, and owner of a trucking business.

Authorities have not released a timeline on when the manner of death could be announced.

About six months after her disappearance, the Lenawee County Sheriff’s Office, FBI and Michigan State Police conducted a series of searches using digging equipment and ground-penetrating radar on hundreds of acres of farmland. Her body was not found during those searches.

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