The long-standing mystery surrounding the disappearance of Dee Warner, a mother of five from Tipton, Michigan, has taken a dark turn. After more than three years of tireless searching, the human remains found on her husband Dale Warner’s property have been identified as hers. Dee disappeared under suspicious circumstances in April 2021.
The Michigan State Police discovered the remains on August 18, 2024, during a comprehensive search of the property. Following the grim discovery, Warner’s death has been ruled a homicide.
Investigators discovered Warner’s body hidden in a large steel tank, usually used for anhydrous ammonia storage, located in a remote barn on the property. The tank had been modified, with both ends sealed, leading investigators to believe that it had been intentionally used as a hiding place for the body.
Dale Warner had been arrested and charged with murder and tampering with evidence in November 2023, following a lengthy investigation driven by suspicions raised by Warner’s family. However, until this latest discovery, Dee’s body had eluded investigators.
Gregg Hardy, Dee Warner’s brother, has been a vocal advocate during the investigation. In a conversation with WDIV-TV, he shared his chilling theory of how his sister’s body ended up in the tank. “In the dark of night, in a building that had no cameras, slide her body in there, put the end cap back on it, and weld it completely shut,” said Hardy. He continued, “And then attach that to a chassis, paint it, even have the gall to put his logo on it to make it look like it was normal.”
According to Hardy, the meticulous concealment of Dee’s body indicates a premeditated act. “That’s so premeditated and so heinous that he deserves nothing less than murder one, no parole,” he stated.
The case has attracted considerable attention due to the shocking details of the body’s concealment and the extensive search that preceded the discovery. Details about the Warner couple’s strained relationship added to the public interest. Before her disappearance, 52-year-old Dee was reportedly planning to leave Dale.
Following an autopsy, Dee Warner’s remains were officially identified on August 20, 2024. While the autopsy confirmed her identity, the exact cause of death has been withheld by authorities, pending further investigation. The Michigan State Police have yet to reveal how Warner died, only stating that her death has been classified as a homicide.
The disappearance of Dee Warner initially baffled investigators. Despite multiple searches of Dale’s property, no significant clues were found. The case gained momentum after the state police took over in August 2022. The search of the property in August 2024, which led to the discovery of Warner’s remains, was part of the intensified investigation.
A Warner family spokesperson expressed mixed feelings about the discovery. “It’s hard to explain because you have the relief of knowing that we’re finally going to be able to lay her to rest,” they told WTVG. “But then, there’s that grief that comes back that we’ve had to relive over and over every time we make progression with the case – when she was declared deceased, and then again when Dale was arrested for murder – it’s just a wound that we keep having to reopen.”
Dale Warner, currently held on a $15 million bond, has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. His pre-trial hearing is scheduled for September 4, 2024, in Lenawee County Circuit Court. The discovery of Dee’s remains on Dale’s property could prove pivotal as Warner’s defense team prepares to challenge the prosecution’s case.
As they grapple with the discovery of Dee’s body, the Warner family is finally able to close a chapter that has tormented them for over three years.
