MI v. Dale Warner: Hidden Murder of Dee Warner

ADRIAN, Mich. (Court TV/Scripps News Group) — A Michigan man is facing life in prison if convicted in the cold case murder of his once-missing wife.

Dale Warner appears in court June 7, 2025. (Court TV)

Dale Warner is charged with open murder and tampering with evidence in the 2021 death of Dee Warner.

Dee was last seen on April 25, 2021, at her home in Tecumseh. In November 2023, Dale was arrested and charged with her disappearance and murder. Dee’s remains were found in Aug. 2024 when authorities conducted a search on property in Lenawee County belonging to Dale.

Dee’s family told Scripps News Group that her remains were found in a sealed tank that used to hold anhydrous ammonia. At the time of the discovery, there was no ammonia in the tank, and it was closed on both ends.

Ahead of jury selection, Dale rejected a plea deal for second-degree murder from prosecutors, according to WTVB.

DAILY TRIAL HIGHLIGHTS

DAY 9 – 2/26/26

• State’s Witness #25 — Trooper Jack Taeff, K9 Unit, Michigan State Police
  • Assisted search for a missing person on April 27, 2021, at Munger Farm.
  • Searched with a K9 in the dry fertilizer barn until consent to search was revoked by Dale Warner.
  • Returned later that night with a subpoena, but did not search the spray barn.
  • Explained that a cadaver dog would not be able to detect a body sealed in a tarp within an anhydrous tank.
  • Noted that multiple searches occurred, but no alerts or finds were made.
• State’s Witness #26 — Sgt. Jeff Hooper, Cell Phone Analyst, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office
  • Extracted data from Dale Warner’s iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPad Pro using Cellebrite.
  • Found 156,557 timeline entries; reviewed calls and messages, including those related to April 25-27, 2021.
  • Noted gaps and possible deleted data; unable to recover deleted content.
  • Found web search “What do do with 1000-pound propane tanks?” on May 5, 2021.
  • Explain Dale Warner’s phone and iPad had cloud backup enabled, but not all content is always backed up.
• State’s Witness #27 — Agent Henrik Impola, FBI (Detroit office)
  • Participated in a two-day search of the farm.
  • Searched multiple buildings and 37 vehicles.
  • Found and photographed, but did not seize, journals, calendars and loose-leaf notes in Dale’s black Chevy truck.
  • Items found included detailed notes about Dee’s activities, opinions and text conversations.
• State’s Witness #28 — Detective Sgt. Scott Singleton, Financial Crimes, Michigan State Police (Ret.)
  • Joined the task force in March 2022. Reviewed evidence, surveillance footage and financials.
  • Investigated the theory that Dee stole money and lived abroad. He only found one undisclosed account, but $34,000 missing before her disappearance.
  • Helped plan and conduct property searches, including excavation at Paragon Road, with focus on possible burial sites.
  • Observed security footage, noting suspicious behavior by Dale Warner after the family left the farm on April 25, 2021.
  • Searched for evidence of tank welding and paint; found paint cans and Tupperware after Dee’s body was recovered.
  • On cross, discussed the process of developing theories, search strategies, and evidence review.

DAY 8 – 2/25/26

• Jurors visited several important locations in the case on Wednesday. Testimony will continue on Thursday.

DAY 7 – 2/24/26

• State’s Witness #18 — Jason Gravelle, Dale and Dee Warner’s Employee
  • Jason Gravelle was an employee of Dale and Dee Warner.
  • His immediate supervisor was Dale Warner.
  • He did not work on Sunday, April 25, but did work on April 26 and 27, 2021.
  • Dale Warner wanted the tank moved, possibly to clean it up. The tank was moved to the spray barn on the Munger farm.
  • Gravelle did not recall if the instructions to move the tank were given in person or over the phone.
  • On cross-examination, Gravelle disclosed a serious medical issue (brain bleed) that has impacted his memory.
  • He affirmed he is doing his best to recall events and has been open about his memory issues.
  • Gravelle confirmed he was not restricted in his movements at work.
• State’s Witness #20 — Parker Hardy, Dee Warner’s Nephew
  • Testified about the day that Dee was reported missing.
  • Learned Dee was missing on Sunday afternoon and went to the office, where surveillance videos were being watched.
  • He and his mother drove around the farm looking for Dee, noticing tracks near the house and the Hummer parked on top of JCB tracks. There were no reverse tracks visible from the JCB.
  • The gravel tracks to the house caught his attention; the Hummer had been moved between visits. He also noticed the driver’s seat in the Hummer was adjusted for someone shorter.
  • Observed a rusty tank in the spray barn, which he had never seen in that condition before.
  • Dale was at the farm when Parker arrived and explained he brought in tanks at night to paint them because he couldn’t sleep after his wife went missing.
• State’s Witness #21 — Jordan Graves, Digital Forensics Examiner, FBI Detroit field office
  • Contacted to enhance the audio for a video related to the current case. Enhanced the audio/video by reducing muffling and background noise.
• State’s Witness #22 — Chief Ryan Rank, Madison Twp. Fire Dept. (Ret)
  • Was part of the drone team investigating at Munger Farm on April 27, 2021.
  • The drone was used to take photos and videos of the property, including Dale Warner operating a JCB hauling an anhydrous tank.
  • He clarified that anhydrous ammonia is not explosive, but exposure can cause chemical burns.
• State’s Witness #23 — Detective Dale Sharp, Lenawee County Sheriff’s Office
  • Involved in the case, participated in executing search warrants.
  • Tasked with photographing the residence during the search.
  • Observed Dale Warner moving tanks during the search; reported actions to Detective Greca.
  • Instructed not to interfere with Dale Warner’s farm operations.
• State’s Witness #24 — Justin Schmidt, Welding expert
  • Inspected an anhydrous tank where Dee was located four times related to the case.
  • Identified repairs on the tank, noting differences in welds (factory vs. repair)
  • Determined repairs showed signs of human error, not machine precision.
  • Estimated 6-10 inches of weld per minute; total weld length 128 inches (approx. 21-36 minutes)
  • Cuttting open the tank with a grinder would take approximatey 50 minutes, using 6-8 wheels
  • Job could be done by one person with proper tools.
  • Welding would require protective gear (mask, gloves, arm protection) or else there would be risk of burns.

DAY 6 – 2/20/26

• State’s Witness #17 — Ivan Boyd, Dale and Dee Warner’s Employee
  • Ivan Boyd worked on Dale and Dee Warner’s farm and was primarily responsible for trucking, mechanical work and occasional welding.
    • Boyd did the welding; Occasionally Andy and Jason would weld. Dale welded only occasionally on small projects.
  • Boyd rarely saw anyone welding in the spray barn (Building 7); he never saw tanks inside the spray barn, which would have been unusual.
  • Surveillance video from April 25, 2021, documented Dale’s movements around the farm, including driving various machines. Dale was observed without his usual hat on the video, which Boyd found odd. On that day, Boyud was working on a vehicle with his brother; Dale told him Dee was missing.
  • Anhydrous fertilizer tanks on the farm were typically empty.
  • Boyd described Dale as laid-back, calm and not prone to anger, rarely raising his voice with employees.
  • Boyd never saw Dale with a tank or doing anything unusual with the tanks on April 25, 2021.
  • Jurors and attorneys asked about chemical burns, tank modifications and the use of grinders or plasma cutters.
• State’s Witness #18 — James “Jim” Hawkins, Dale and Dee Warner’s Employee
  • Hawkins worked as a lead mechanic and welder in the building on the west side of the house called the Top Shop. He was responsible for preparing and serving anhydrous fertilizer tanks.
  • Tanks were usually empty during repairs; if a tank had a hole, it was taken out of service. Welding repairs could potentially return a tank to service if the welders could fix it.
  • Anhydrous business was slow in 2020 and 2021, but there was enough supply on the Munger farm.
  • Hawkins interacted with both Dale and Dee, describing Dee as sometimes yelling and Dale as easy to get along with.
  • On Saturday, April 12, he worked until 7 pm and reported that nothing was wrong with Dee.
  • Hawkins had not seen tank 34, the one where Dee’s body was found, before, and had not noticed any fresh welds on any other tank.

DAY 5 – 2/19/26

• State’s Witness #15 — Detective Lt. Daniel Drewyor, Michigan Dept. of State Police
  • Joined case in March 2022 and fully took over in Aug. 2022; FBI was also involved.
  • Reviewed evidence and interviewed the defendant, Dale Warner, in Dec. 2022.
  • Warner described his wife, Dee, as caring and said their arguments were loud but not violent. He admitted Dee would sometimes leave after arguments but said she would always come back.
  • Dale discussed placing a device in Dee’s Hummer, claiming it was a diagnostic, not a tracking device. He described ongoing business and financial struggles, including issues with multiple loans, poor profitability and payroll problems.
  • Dale detailed Dee’s health issues: migraines, mini-stroke, chronic pain and multiple medications.
  • The night before Dee disappeared, the couple had a big argument; she was upset and took more pills.
  • Warner recounted his morning routine the day Dee went missing and efforts to find her after she was gone.
  • During the investigation, police found a fertilizer tank with an unusual opening and wire-tied note. The tank was x-rayed and then opened; inside human remains wrapped in two blue tarps were discovered in half an inch of ammonia.
  • Lt. Drewyor will return to the witness stand next week.
• State’s Witness #16 — Dr. Patrick Cho, Deputy Medical Examiner, Oakland County
  • Dee was identified through dental records. Her body was found wrapped in two tarps, bound with duct tape and wearing presumed pajamas and underwear.
  • Jewelry present: two posts with clear stones and a metal ring with a clear stone on her right hand.
  • External injuries included contusions on cheeks, eye and back of head; internal injuries included blunt force trauma to temples/back of head and bruising of tongue/epiglottis.
  • No oxycodone was found in toxicology testing.
  • Cause of death: strangulation and blunt force trauma; manner: homicide.
  • Death occurred on or about April 25, 2021.
  • Body showed preservation, likely due to oxygen deprivation, and was found with brown sludge and an ammonia odor, possibly from chemicals in the tank.
  • Both strangulation and blunt force trauma could have independently caused death.

DAY 4 – 2/18/26

• State’s Witness #12 – Georgia Ziegler, Cell Phone Analyst, Michigan State Police
  • Georgia Ziegler, a Michigan State Police cell phone analyst, testified about analyzing Dee Warner’s cell phone records.
  • She analyzed Verizon records for Dee Warner’s phone from March 28 to April 28, 2021.
  • The analysis included text, voice calls, internet usage, and cell tower locations.
  • The last internet session started at 7:01:21 a.m. and ended at 7:05 a.m. on April 25, 2021; the last phone activity was at 7:05:45 a.m.
  • The final cell tower interaction was at 7:14:21 a.m.
  • Only one outgoing call was made from Dee Warner’s cell phone on April 24, with all subsequent calls being incoming.
  • There was a notable spike in voicemails on April 25 (75 voicemails).
  • Ziegler did not analyze the physical phone, only Verizon’s records.
• State’s Witness #13 – Devin Newell, OnStar Data Analyst, General Motors
  • Devin Newell, an OnStar Data Analyst, testified about data related to a 2016 Cadillac Escalade and its connected devices.
  • OnStar and the My Cadillac App kept records of device usage and user activity from January 1, 2020, to April 28, 2021.
  • Four different device models accessed the app: iPad 8 Pro, iPhone 7, iPhone 6, and iPhone 12 Pro Max.
  • Over 2,100 access requests were logged for 16 months
  • Three devices (iPhone 6, iPad, iPhone 12 Pro Max) were used for vehicle location requests.
  • The iPhone 12 Pro Max was first seen on March 4, 2021, and was the only device used through April 27, 2021.
  • The vehicle was unlocked only twice in 16 months, both times by the iPhone 12 Pro Max (March 25 and April 25, 2021).
• State’s Witness #14 – Madison Wolfe, Dee Warner’s Personal Assistant
  • Madison Wolfe was Dee Warner’s personal assistant and nanny for Dee and Dale’s young daughter from age 16, working for the family for six years.
  • Dee and Dale Warner’s marriage started well but became more like a business arrangement over time.
  • Madison witnessed tension between Dee and Dale, including Dee pulling away from Dale’s advances.
  • Dee discussed wanting a divorce for at least three years before her disappearance.
  • Dee confided in Madison about an extramarital affair that lasted at least a year, with man’s name listed as “Michael” in Dee’s cell phone.
  • Madison testified witnessing a bump or bruise on Dee’s head before her disappearance but could not recall the timing.
  • Madison was asked by law enforcement to review body camera footage after Dee’s disappearance; she noticed burns or scratches on Dale’s arms.

DAY 3 – 2/17/26

• CONT. STATE’S WITNESS #6 Deputy Austin Hall, Lenawee County Sheriff’s Office
  • Surveillance video was seized from the Munger Farm; investigators returned multiple times to the property.
  • The last phone ping from Dee’s device was near the Munger Farm tower; blood found was determined to be animal blood.
  • The investigation included interviews with employees and searches of the property, but no conclusive evidence of foul play was found.
• STATE’S WITNESS #7 Dustin Lolley, Rikkel Bock’s Boyfriend (Rikkel Bock – Dee Warner’s Daughter)
  • He observed that Dee was more relaxed when Dale (her husband) was not around. When Dale was present, he made degrading comments about Dee’s cooking and clothing, which Dee could hear.
  • In July 2020, Dee found a tracking device in her Hummer, which Dustin identified after researching it online. The device contained an SD card, which Dee kept.
  • The next morning (April 25th), they planned to have breakfast at Dee’s, but no one was home; the door was unlocked, and both Dee’s Hummer and a JCB were parked outside.
  • After breakfast, they searched for Dee at multiple properties and with other family members but could not find her. Surveillance video was checked, but Dee was not seen; Dale was seen on camera and mentioned Dee might have left and that she was asleep when he woke up.
  • Dale discouraged calling the police initially, saying not to get ahead of themselves.
  • When asked, Dustin said Dee was extremely angry after discovering the tracking device.
• STATE’S WITNESS #8 Stacey Brodie, Dee Warner’s Massage Therapist
  • Brodie observed multiple bruises on Dee (8 to 10 times), including a large bruise on her hip and marks resembling a handprint, suggesting she had been grabbed.
  • The last time Brodie saw Dee was the Wednesday before Dee went missing; Dee appeared distraught and was shaking.
  • Dee expressed being tired of her situation and wanting to consult a lawyer.
  • Brodie did not document the bruises and initially did not mention the handprint-shaped bruising in earlier testimonies but later recalled describing them to Michigan State Police as consistent with being grabbed or thrown.
  • The last observed bruising was in November 2020.
  • On cross-examination, Brodie confirmed she did not report the bruising details in her initial testimonies.
• STATE’S WITNESS #9 Stephanie Voelkle, Dee Warner’s Employee
  • Stephanie Voelkle worked for Dee Warner since June 2016, and they became friends over time.
  • Dee and Dale (her husband) argued at work; topics included money, kids, and Dale’s father.
  • Dee talked openly about divorce and wanting to sell everything; this came up multiple times before the date of her disappearance, April 24, 2021.
  • The last time Stephanie saw Dee was Friday afternoon before Dee became unreachable; Dee seemed nervous and stressed about a conversation with Todd, a dispatcher.
  • Dee did not respond to Stephanie’s calls or texts after 7:30 pm that day.
  • Dale told Stephanie after Dee’s disappearance that they had a fight and the last time he saw Dee was when she was asleep on the couch.
  • On cross-examination, Stephanie confirmed Dee argued both with staff and family, but it was unusually Dee raising her voice to Dale.
  • There was no evidence or report of Dale physically harming Dee; arguments were verbal and not physical.
  • Dee showed the Stephanie a “goose egg” (raised bump) on her head.
• STATE’S WITNESS #10 Kyle Wagner, IT Contractor
  • Surveillance system at the Munger property included several exterior and interior cameras, mainly monitoring fuel tanks, the office, and the scale area.
  • The server in the office recorded footage triggered by motion, with a retention period of about seven days.
  • Dale contacted Kyle after Dee’s disappearance to gain access to the surveillance cameras on his phone and requested that other users’ access (Parker Hardy, Zack Bock) be removed, leaving only himself with access.
  • Dale also asked about cloning Dee’s phone a year or two before her disappearance, but Kyle refused without Dee’s permission.
  • Dee personally instructed camera placement and settings; Dale was not involved in these decisions before Dee’s disappearance.
  • On April 24th (before Dee’s disappearance), Dale did not have access to the cameras on his phone; he only requested it afterward.
  • The cameras were installed due to ongoing problems on the farm, particularly with employees.
  • There are three exterior cameras and one scale camera that covers part of Munger Road.
  • No evidence was mentioned that environmental triggers (like dust) were ever recorded by the camera system.
• STATE’S WITNESS #11 Brian Bush, Dale and Dee’s Son-In-Law
  • He worked on Dale’s farm for two years and saw Dale and Dee daily.
  • In June 2019, Dale asked Brian to purchase a replacement safe for him, which Brian bought and delivered; Dale believed important documents were in the safe.
  • Dale also inquired about trail cameras, possibly in 2019, to monitor for people bringing documents; Brian supplied cameras but did not install them.
  • Brian gave the camera to Dale, who later returned it before Dee went missing.
  • Dale asked Brian to buy a GPS tracker for Dee’s Hummer in January 2020 because he suspected Dee was having an affair.
  • The GPS tracker was used to monitor the Hummer’s location, and Brian would check it when asked by Dale.
  • Dale eventually told Brian to keep the GPS tracker secret; Brian did not set up the device himself.
  • Brian observed arguments between Dale and Dee, with Dee sometimes overriding Dale’s job tasks; Dale rarely raised his voice.
  • Brian also mentioned using the device to diagnose the Hummer, but it did not give any codes.
  • He was reimbursed in cash for the GPS tracker purchase on Amazon using his personal account.

DAY 2 – 2/13/26

• Zackery Bock, Dee Warner’s son
  • Dee was often in contact with Zackery, and the only time she didn’t respond to him was when she disappeared.
  • Dee managed three companies on the farm, employing less than 20 people.
  • Dee and her husband, Dale, fought nearly every day, mainly about money and business matters. Dee had previously expressed wanting to leave Dale.
  • The last time Zackery communicated with Dee was on Saturday, April 24, around 7 pm.
  • When Dee went missing, her Hummer was found at the office and her phone went straight to voicemail.
  • Dee’s fights with Dale had become more frequent and intense in recent years; it was not unusual for Dee to leave for a day or two during arguments.
  • After Dee’s disappearance, there was no activity on her credit cards or bank accounts.
  • There was prior animosity and limited communication between Zackery and Dale; their communication was mostly work-related.
  • Zackery had never called the police about his mother before her disappearance and has had no contact with her since.

DAY 1 – 2/12/26

• Prosecutors delivered their opening statement, telling the jury that Dee went missing on April 24, 2021, after telling her husband, Dale, that their marriage was over and their businesses would be sold.
  • Dee was later found dead in an anhydrous fertilizer tank; she had been strangled, had duct tape around her head, and was in her pajamas.
    • Surveillance showed Dale moving equipment, accessing vehicles and handling welding materials around the time Dee disappeared. Investigators found evidence suggesting the fertilizer tank had been cut open and welded shut; Dale’s fingerprint was found on the tank.
  • Dale exhibited controlling and stalking behaviors, tracking Dee’s vehicles over 2,000 times, installing cameras in their home and having others clone her phone and track her movements.
  • After Dee’s disappearance, Dale gave conflicting accounts to the police about her last known whereabouts and actions.
•  The defense delivered its opening statement, saying the state’s case relies on speculation, not proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
  • • While prosecutors say Dale killed Dee, there were many people present on the farm at the relevant time.
    • Jurors are not to judge Dale’s character, only whether he committed the crimes charged.
• Amber Million, Dee Warner’s Daughter
  • • On April 23, 2021, Amber spent the day with her sister, Angelina, and had lunch at school.
    • Dee picked up her sister for soccer games; Amber last saw her on Saturday morning between 9 and 10 am. Dee appeared very upset and was crying after receiving a distressing text message from Terri mentioning Dale and referencing Xanax use.
    • Dee talked about selling everything and divorcing Dale; she had discussed divorce many times before but had never seemed this distraught.
    • Amber said she never saw violence between her mother and Dale.
• Kelli Stace, Dee Warner’s Lash Technician
  • Dee had an eyelash extension appointment on Saturday, April 24. She arrived upset and crying. During the appointment, she received at least two phone calls: one from a female and another from her husband.
  • Kelli confirmed that she had never met Dale and had not observed any red marks on Dee.
• Rikkel Bock, Dee Warner’s Daughter
  • Described a close relationship with her mother, with whom she frequently spent time, especially for meals and helping with household tasks.
  • In April 2021, Rikkel was remodeling her house and her mother was helping her with daily routines.
  • Rikkel recalled witnessing arguments between Dee and Dale, mostly over the phone but sometimes in person, which made her uncomfortable, especially during odd interactions like massages after fights.
  • On April 24, 2021, Rikkel saw her mother visibly upset and learned Dee planned to leave Dale, seek a divorce and sell their trucking company.
  • Rikkel last saw Dee around 5-6 pm that Saturday and texted her mother around 9 pm; Dee did not respond. Late that night, Rikkel drove past Dee’s house and noticed the lights on and the Hummer parked unusually.
  • The next morning, Dee was missing; the family searched the house and property but couldn’t find her. Dale mentioned Dee leaving the house at night, having pills everywhere and leaving her ring behind.
  • Cross-examination emphasized Dee’s repeated statements about ending her marriage, but not her businesses, and her sometimes dramatic responses.
  • No stains or evidence were seen in the house or on the property.
• Amy Jo Alexander, Dale and Dee Warner’s Sister-in-Law (married to Dale’s brother)
  • Amy and Dee communicated frequently, especially in 2021, and their daughters were the same age and very close.
  • Amy observed Dee and Dale arguing.
  • On April 24, 2021, Amy arrived at the Warner house at 7:42 pm with her daughter and a friend but stayed on the deck and did not enter the house. Amy noticed Dee was upset: she had been crying, had red blotchy spots on her neck, puffy eyes and her makeup was not perfect as usual.
  • Dee expressed that she was “done,” wanted to sell the trucking company and planned to ask Dale for a divorce, something she had mentioned before.
  • During cross-examination, Amy confirmed she arranged the sleepover and arrived at 7:42 pm to pick up Angelina, Dee and Dale’s daughter.