Human remains have been found on property owned by Dale Warner in Lenawee County. Warner, who is charged in connection with his wife Dee Warner's disappearance and presumed death, faces a significant development in this long-running case. Dee was last seen in April 2021 at her Munger Road home, and since then, her whereabouts have eluded family, investigators, and the tight-knit community that has yearned for answers. According to The Detroit News, Michigan State Police's First District announced that the remains were found during the execution of a search warrant on property belonging to Dale Warner.
State police have said there is a "great deal of work and testing" needed before they can provide definitive answers. Charged with open murder and tampering with evidence, Dale Warner's legal future hangs in the balance as he prepares for a pretrial hearing scheduled for September 4, reported by ClickOnDetroit. The remains, which are currently in the process of being recovered, could pivot the trajectory of the approaching legal proceedings.
The search that unearthed the remains was characterized by perseverance from Michigan State Police. The property had been combed through before, without this outcome. As Michigan State Police First District posted on X, detectives in its Special Investigation Section continued to relentlessly follow leads.
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's relatives were notified about the dire findings. According to a statement obtained by MLive, the police have updated them amidst their mourning and search for answers.
Dee Warner's daughter, Rikkell Bock, characterized the news as "surreal," "The news we’ve waited 3 1/2 years to hear but we never wanted," and promised to keep fighting for the justice her mother deserves, according to sentiments expressed to The Detroit News. The Michigan State Police continue to urge anyone with information about Dee Warner's disappearance to come forward and contact Detective Sgt. Dan Drewyor at (734) 242-3500.
