What you should know after human remains were found on your husband's property

LENAWEE COUNTY, Michigan. – Human remains were found during a search of the property of a Michigan man accused of murder in connection with the disappearance of his wife.

Dee Warner was reported missing by her family in 2021. Her husband, Dale Warner, was arrested in 2023 and charged with first-degree murder.

Here's everything we know about the Dee Warner murder case:

Dee Warner reported missing

Dee Warner, 52, was reported missing on April 25, 2021. According to police, she was last seen at her home on Mugner Road in Tipton, Michigan.

Her cell phone was dead and there was no activity on her bank accounts. Crime Stoppers asked for help in locating the suspect on May 6, 2021.

Dee Warner's family said Dee Warner operated a trucking business out of the barns in the backyard of her home. She is a mother of five children.

Search for remains

The Lenawee County Sheriff's Office, Michigan State Police, FBI and other agencies were involved in several unsuccessful searches for human remains in this case.

On October 11, 2021, officers searched Dee Warner's home and surrounding property. Investigators used dogs and ground-penetrating radar to assist in the search. The two-day search was unsuccessful.

—> Police fail to find missing Lenawee County resident Dee Warner during two-day search

In August 2022, the Michigan State Police announced that they would take over the investigation into the disappearance of Dee Warner.

In May 2023, Michigan State Police confirmed that new searches would be conducted along M-50 in Lenawee County.

—> Michigan State Police take over investigation into disappearance of Dee Warner from Lenawee County

Husband charged with murder

On Tuesday, November 21, 2023, Michigan State Police announced that her husband had been arrested in connection with her death.

Dale John Warner, 53, of Tipton, was arrested at his home and charged with murder and tampering with evidence.

Dale Warner must go to court

On Friday, June 7, 2024, a judge ruled that there was enough evidence to try Dale Warner for murder.

Bodycam footage was shown in court during a preliminary hearing. The bodycam footage shows Dale Warner talking to a police officer the day after his wife disappeared. He appeared calm and told the officer that it was not unusual for his wife to just take off.

“She's gone, she took all her luggage with her,” he told the officer. “So someone took her, so she's with someone, somewhere.”

A friend of Dee Warner testified that Dee Warner told her about abuse in the relationship.

“The very last thing she ever said to me was that she was tired and that it was time to talk to a lawyer,” the friend said.

—> Son reveals marital problems and financial difficulties in Dee Warner murder trial in Lenawee County

—> Dee Warner's daughter testifies at preliminary hearing of her husband accused of murder in Lenawee County

Human remains found

On Sunday, August 18, 2024, Michigan State Police announced that human remains were found during a search of Dale Warner's property in Lenawee County.

The remains are still being recovered from their site, with police saying there is still “a lot of work and testing” to be done before they can confirm the identity of the remains.

Dale Warner was scheduled to stand trial on June 20, 2024. He is expected back in Lenawee Circuit Court for a pretrial hearing on September 4, 2024 at 8:15 a.m.