Michigan State Police say they have found human remains on property belonging to Dale Warner, a Lenawee County man charged with the murder of his wife, who disappeared three years ago.
UPDATE: This is an update to the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Dee Warner who was reported missing by her family on April 25, 2021. Detectives from the MSP Special Investigation Section continue to pursue investigative leads in the Dee Warner case. During the… pic.twitter.com/m1OJD6bO7k
— MSP First District (@MSPFirstDist) August 18, 2024
Dee Warner, 52, was last seen on April 25, 2021, WXMI reported. A court ruled her legally dead in 2022, and Dale Warner was charged last November with her death and disappearance.
Family members told WTVG that the remains were found while state police were executing a search warrant on Friday. The remains were found in a sealed tank used for anhydrous ammonia, used in fertilizer. No chemicals were in the tank, which was sealed with a tag that said “do not use,” at the time the remains were found.
An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday, a family spokesperson said, but family members believe the remains belong to Dee Warner.
Dale Warner, meanwhile, has pleaded not guilty to his wife’s murder, and his trial is set to begin next month. His attorney told WTVG they were awaiting identification of the remains.
“But this appears to be another tragic turn of events for all those who loved and cared for her,” the statement from the attorney said Sunday.
According to court records, Dee Warner planned to talk about a divorce with her husband on the night she disappeared. The documents say she had a friend pick up their daugther the night before because she didn’t want the child to witness whatever happened.
Prosecutors say Dale Warner admitted to fighting with his wife about “money and infidelity; the argument being the worst argument of his life,” according to the documents. But, he said, he left the house at about 6 a.m. the next morning, and his wife was sleeping on the couch.
Officials, however, have said that Dale Warner’s statements have been inconsistent.
