Investigators have discovered human remains on a southeastern Michigan property owned by a man whose wife disappeared over three years ago and is presumed dead.
Dee Warner was reported missing by her family in April 2021. Her husband, Dale John Warner, 56, was charged in November with open murder and evidence tampering in connection with her disappearance. He has pleaded not guilty.
Michigan State Police announced on Sunday that they recently searched Dale Warner’s property in Lenawee County, leading to the discovery of human remains.
“The remains are currently being recovered, and extensive work and testing will be required before a positive identification can be made,” the agency stated on social media. “Dee Warner’s family has been informed of the findings. The investigation remains ongoing.”
Family members informed media that the remains were found Friday in a sealed, empty tank initially designed for anhydrous ammonia, a common crop fertilizer.
Lt. Rene Gonzalez, a spokesperson for the Michigan State Police, confirmed the search occurred on Friday but declined to provide further details due to the ongoing investigation.
An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday.
Dee Warner, 52, was last seen on the morning of April 25, 2021, on a road in Franklin Township, approximately 70 miles (110 kilometers) southwest of Detroit. She has had no contact with family or friends since.
Dale Warner is currently being held at the Lenawee County Jail and is scheduled to appear in court for a pretrial hearing on September 4.
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“We believe that a fair and objective review of the evidence — or more accurately, the lack of evidence in this case — will demonstrate that Mr. Warner did not kill his wife,” his attorney, Mary Chartier, media when he was charged in November.