Dee Warner murder: Family sues for $100M from her husband - the accused killer
Dee Warner's family files $100M wrongful death lawsuit
Warner, from Lenawee County, was reported missing in April 2021. Despite extensive searches of the property surrounding her Munger Road home in Franklin Township, it took years for her body to be found. Even without a body, her husband, Dale Warner, was arrested in November 2023, and charged with tampering with evidence and murder. Attorney Todd Flood said that in order for that to happen, a declaration of death trial was held.
LENAWEE COUNTY, Mich. (FOX 2) - The children of Dee Warner, a Lenawee County woman who was allegedly murdered by her husband, have filed a civil lawsuit against the accused killer.
The lawsuit brought by her children was announced Wednesday during a press conference.
Dee Warner
The backstory:
Warner, from Lenawee County, was reported missing in April 2021. Despite extensive searches of the property surrounding her Munger Road home in Franklin Township, it took years for her body to be found.
Even without a body, her husband, Dale Warner, was arrested in November 2023, and charged with tampering with evidence and murder.
Attorney Todd Flood said that in order for that to happen, a declaration of death trial was held.
"During that timeframe, Dale knew where the body was, knew how he strangled her," Flood said. "We had to have a judge and a trial to show that she in fact was dead and not just missing."
In August 2024, Michigan State Police discovered remains on property owned by Dale Warner found to be the missing grandmother in an anhydrous ammonia tank on her husband's farm.
Flood noted how much the process to have Dee Warner declared dead cost, adding that Dale Warner is still allegedly spending money that should go to Dee's children.
"That money should not go to a killer. That money should not go to his family," the lawyer said. "That money should go to the offspring."
Flood said his office is suing for $100,000 million. It is unclear how much money Dale Warner actually has, but Flood said it is seven figures.
'It was disbelief': Dee Warner's body found in ammonia tank
Dee Warner's remains were found in an anhydrous ammonia tank three years after her disappearance, leading to a homicide investigation by Michigan State Police. Her husband, Dale Warner, faces charges for her murder as her family clings to justice after a heartrending search.
Dig deeper:
A second person, Dee Warner's stepson, 28-year-old Jaron Warner, was charged with tampering with evidence and accessory after the fact to a felony. However, all charges were dropped last week.
"I'm confident that those charges will probably come back," Flood said.
What's next:
Dale Warner is set to stand trial on Sept. 2.
The Source: Previous FOX 2 stories were used in this report, along with a press conference hosted by Flood Law.