ADRIAN, Mich. (WXYZ) — Michigan State Police confirmed Tuesday that an arrest has been made in connection to the 2021 murder of Dee Warner.
The mother of five was last seen on April 25, 2021, at her home near Tecumseh.
🚨ARREST MADE🚨Suspect arrested in connection with the murder of Dee Warner. Dee Warner was reported missing in April of 2021. Suspect's name is being withheld pending arraignment. Press release with additional information will be release upon arraignment scheduled for tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/lAOghfeV7o
— MSP First District (@MSPFirstDist) November 21, 2023
Last year, Warner’s children filed a petition with the Lenawee County Probate Court to have the 52-year-old legally declared dead. According to the court filing, more than 4,000 acres of land have been searched, using drones and other methods.
Related:
- What happened to Dee Warner? Michigan mother of 5 has been missing for more than a year
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- Dee Warner's family wants answers in her disappearance. That's why they want her declared dead.
MSP said the suspect’s name is being withheld until an arraignment. However, sources close to the investigation told the 7 Investigators that he is being charged with open murder.
Police had previously named Dee’s husband, Dale Warner, as a suspect in her disappearance. While state police are not naming the person they arrested Tuesday, attorneys who previously represented Dale Warner confirm he was taken into custody and say they’re surprised by the arrest.
Family of Dee Warner, including her brother Gregg Hardy, believe her husband is responsible for the disappearance and death.
“He told us a story that just didn’t square with me," Hardy said. “And I met him in his own driveway and said, 'Dale, I know what you’ve done and I’m going to come after you.' And that’s the last time I spoke to him.”
Lenawee County Sheriff Troy Bevier said that Dale Warner is being held at the county jail. However, they are not commenting on the charges or allegations against him. Dale Warner is expected to be arraigned Wednesday morning where more information is expected to be released.
Hardy and other family members plan on being in attendance.
“I don’t think it’s all sunk in yet," Hardy said.
Todd Flood, the Warner family attorney, is still working to officially declare Dee dead. He says that process should now be expedited with this new update in the case.
"Knowing this case, there's a lot of discovery, there's a lot of work. These state troopers and officers — both local and federal — did a lot of work on this case, and there will be mountains of discovery," Flood said.
Stay with 7 Action News as we continue to follow this case.
