Dee Warner Missing Person Case

May 12, 2021

Jan 12, 2024

Dee

Warner

57

52

64 inches

140 lbs

White / Caucasian

Female

In the spring of 2021, on a farm in Franklin Township, Michigan, 52-year-old Dee Ann Warner vanished. She was last seen at her Munger Road residence on the evening of April 24th or the morning of April 25th, 2021. At the time of her disappearance, she was a mother and a local businesswoman, operating a trucking company with her husband, Dale Warner. Friends and family described her relationship with her husband as "extremely toxic," and Dee had expressed her desire to leave him. The day before she went missing, she had reportedly been in a significant argument with her husband. Her daughter became concerned when Dee, who was typically in constant contact, was unreachable and missed their regular Sunday breakfast. Her vehicles were still at the property, but her purse and cell phone were gone. The investigation into Dee Warner's disappearance was extensive, involving local law enforcement, the Michigan State Police, and the FBI. Numerous searches were conducted on the vast farmlands owned by the Warners, but for a long time, no trace of Dee was found. Her family was convinced from the beginning that she had not left on her own and suspected her husband's involvement. In the absence of a body, the case was challenging for investigators. Despite this, in November 2023, Dale Warner was arrested and charged with her murder. This arrest came after a grand jury investigation and before Dee's remains had been discovered. The family had also taken the step to have her legally declared dead in 2022. A significant breakthrough in the case occurred in August 2024, more than three years after she went missing. While executing a search warrant on one of Dale Warner's properties, investigators discovered human remains inside a large anhydrous ammonia tank. The tank had been welded shut and was found hidden inside a barn on a property separate from the couple's residence. Dental records later confirmed the remains were those of Dee Warner, and her death was ruled a homicide. In March 2026, Dale Warner was found guilty of second-degree murder and tampering with evidence. He was subsequently sentenced to a lengthy prison term. The case, which had drawn national media attention, came to a close, providing a measure of justice for a family that had relentlessly sought answers. The investigation revealed a troubled marriage and culminated in the discovery of a beloved mother and community member concealed in a way that shocked those who had followed her story.

Apr 24, 2021

Tecumseh

Michigan

Lenawee County

No

104487

Michigan State Police - First District Headquarters

Lansing

Michigan

Eaton County

48913

7119 North Canal Road, Michigan

5173221912

State

Law Enforcement

https://www.michigan.gov/msp/posts/first-district---central

10-209-22

2021-04-25

Michigan State Police - First District Headquarters

Blond/Strawberry

Green

Green

Yes

07/08/2026