In March 2026, a jury convicted Dale Warner of second-degree murder and tampering with evidence in the death of his wife, Dee Warner, who disappeared from their Lenawee County, Michigan farm in April 2021. Despite the absence of her body at the time of his arrest, Dale Warner was charged in November 2023 and pleaded not guilty. The trial was scheduled to begin in September 2025.
Disappearance and Initial Investigation
Dee Warner, 52, was last seen on a Sunday morning in spring 2021 on the farm she shared with her second husband, Dale Warner, and their young child. The Warners ran three businesses from the property, including a trucking company, a farm raising crops, and a chemical supply business. Dee Warner had four adult children from a previous marriage, and her daughter Rikkell Bock lived nearby.
Bock reported Dee Warner missing after finding her mother’s house empty during their regular Sunday breakfast visit. Dee’s two vehicles were still at the farm, and she was not answering calls or texts, which was highly unusual according to her daughter. The day before her disappearance, Dee Warner had been upset following a confrontation with two trucking company employees, as noted by her family.
Suspicion and Community Response
After the disappearance, Dale Warner informed deputies that his wife had left the home upset but he expected her to return. No signs of violence or a crime scene were found during multiple police searches. Dee Warner’s brother, Gregg Hardy, grew suspicious of Dale Warner’s behavior, noting his lack of participation in search efforts and inconsistent statements. Hardy organized community searches and vigils to raise awareness and push for justice.
In mid-2022, aided by private investigator Billy Little, Hardy intensified efforts by publicizing the case through media and a sarcastic billboard stating, “Help Dale Find Dee,” aimed at pressuring Warner and involving the community. Michigan State Police eventually took over the investigation in August 2022, with ongoing FBI assistance.
Legal Proceedings and Evidence
Dale Warner cooperated with investigators during the inquiry and repeatedly denied involvement in his wife’s disappearance. His attorneys maintained his innocence throughout the legal process. However, three months ahead of his trial, police uncovered significant physical evidence linked to the case in August 2024, which contributed to the eventual murder conviction.
The jury found Warner guilty of second-degree murder and evidence tampering on March 10, 2026. The case garnered attention as a “no body” murder case, where the victim’s remains were not found at the time of charging and trial. Both the Lenawee County Sheriff’s Office and state officials declined to comment extensively during the pretrial period, respecting the ongoing investigation and legal procedures.
Why it matters
This case highlights challenges law enforcement faces in prosecuting murder without physical remains and underscores the role of family advocacy and investigative persistence in advancing cold or complex cases. The conviction underscores that lack of a body does not preclude securing a murder conviction when circumstantial and forensic evidence is sufficient.
Background
Dee Warner’s disappearance triggered intense local search efforts and community involvement. Her family’s growing suspicion of Dale Warner and their partnership with investigative resources generated public and official momentum, leading to the state police takeover and eventual arrest, despite initial hurdles such as no visible crime scene or missing-person leads beyond family reports.
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