A Michigan man, Dale Warner, is currently on trial facing charges of open murder and evidence tampering in connection with the 2021 death of his wife, Dee Warner. Dee was last seen at her home in Tecumseh on April 25, 2021. After an extensive investigation, Dale was arrested in November 2023, and Dee’s remains were discovered on his property in Lenawee County in August 2024.
Authorities found Dee’s body concealed within a sealed tank that formerly held anhydrous ammonia. Notably, the tank was empty of ammonia and sealed at both ends when authorities located it. The case has drawn significant attention due to the efforts to uncover what transpired following Dee’s disappearance.
Dale Warner rejected a plea agreement for second-degree murder before jury selection commenced. The trial has included multiple eyewitnesses and expert testimony shedding light on events surrounding Dee’s disappearance and death.
Jason Gravelle, an employee of Dale and Dee Warner, testified that Dale wanted an anhydrous ammonia tank moved, potentially for cleanup purposes. He described Dale’s instructions about the tank and disclosed a personal brain injury affecting his memory.
Parker Hardy, Dee’s nephew, recounted searching for her after she was reported missing, noticing unusual vehicle and tire track patterns near the farm. He also observed a rusty tank in the spray barn and the adjusted driver’s seat in a Hummer on the property. Hardy mentioned Dale’s explanation for moving tanks at night, citing insomnia after Dee’s disappearance.
FBI digital forensics examiner Jordan Graves enhanced audio from a video related to the case during the investigation. Former Madison Township Fire Department Chief Ryan Rank explained the use of drones during the search and clarified that while anhydrous ammonia is not explosive, it poses hazards from chemical exposure.
Detective Dale Sharp from the Lenawee County Sheriff’s Office detailed the execution of search warrants and documented Dale Warner moving tanks during the search but instructed officers not to disrupt farm operations.
Welding expert Justin Schmidt examined the tank containing Dee’s remains multiple times and identified repair welds inconsistent with factory work, suggesting human error. Schmidt estimated the time required to cut open the tank using tools commonly associated with welding work, mentioning safety precautions necessary during the process.
Several farm employees, including Ivan Boyd and James “Jim” Hawkins, provided accounts of farm operations and tank handling practices. Boyd described his welding duties and noted surveillance footage capturing Dale Warner’s unusual conduct on April 25, 2021. Hawkins testified regarding the preparation and maintenance of anhydrous fertilizer tanks and interactions with Dee and Dale Warner.
Detective Lieutenant Daniel Drewyor from the Michigan State Police took over the investigation and testified about evidence and interviews with Dale Warner. Drewyor presented details about the couple’s personal and financial difficulties, noted Dee’s health conditions, and described the discovery of Dee’s body during the search.
Deputy Medical Examiner Dr. Patrick Cho identified Dee Warner’s remains through dental records and detailed the autopsy findings, concluding the cause of death was homicide by strangulation and blunt force trauma sustained on or about April 25, 2021. The circumstances of the body’s preservation suggested a chemical environment within the tank.
Cell phone analyst Georgia Ziegler reviewed Dee Warner’s Verizon records, showing the last phone activity occurred early on April 25, 2021, along with a spike in voicemails that day. OnStar data analyst Devin Newell testified about activity related to the family’s 2016 Cadillac Escalade, documenting vehicle unlocks and app usage shortly before and after Dee’s disappearance.
Madison Wolfe, Dee Warner’s personal assistant and longtime nanny, provided insight into the couple’s strained marriage, noting Dee’s desire for divorce and an ongoing extramarital affair prior to her disappearance.
The trial continues with additional testimonies scheduled, as the prosecution and defense present their cases regarding the events leading to Dee Warner’s tragic death.
