LENAWEE COUNTY, Mich. — A judge has declared Dee Warner, the woman who has been missing from Lenawee County for nearly three years, dead, according to family spokesperson Kathryn Adams.
Adams told WTOL 11 that Dee Warner's family is "in shock" after learning the judge's decision on Monday. The family in 2022 petitioned a judge to declare her dead.
Dee Warner's family has suspected Dale Warner, Dee's husband, of killing her since she disappeared in April of 2021.
In November of 2023, Dale was charged with murder. He has pleaded not guilty.
Dee Warner was 52 when she was last seen in the early morning of April 25, 2021, at her residence on Munger Road in Franklin Township, Mich. She has not had any contact with her family or friends after she went missing and her remains have not been found.
Family members have said they plan to file a wrongful death lawsuit against Dale Warner if a judge declares her legally dead.
The Lenawee County probate court did not immediately respond to calls on Monday afternoon.
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