LENAWEE COUNTY, Mich. — The family of deceased Lenawee County woman Dee Warner held a news conference Thursday, one day after authorities said they positively identified her remains.
According to Michigan State Police, Dee's death has been ruled a homicide but the manner of death is being withheld pending further investigation. Her husband, Dale Warner, was charged with murder in 2023.
Authorities with MSP found on Aug. 16 what they believed to be Dee's remains welded shut inside one of two tanks removed from Dale Warner's property off of Paragon Road in Lenawee County.
During the 2 p.m. press conference, Dee's family spoke about the investigation.
Dee's brother, Gregg Hardy, began the conference.
"It's bittersweet at best, but it's certainly needed," he said of authorities locating Dee's body.
He thanked multiple groups and people from the community, including the Justice for Dee group.
"These people have been beyond anything," he said. "Loyal. Fought hard. Given up time, money, everything... for the cause they believe in," he said.
He also thanked Katheryn Adams, the family spokesperson, and Stephanie Voelkle, Dee's personal assistant. Hardy also extended thanks to community members who offered tips and information in the investigation. Additionally, he thanked the judge who declared Dee legally dead and the visiting judge who presided over the preliminary hearing that ultimately bound Dale over to trial.
Hardy said he would leave it to authorities to disclose the cause of death. The manner of her death has been ruled a homicide. Hardy later said Dee was positively identified via dental records.
"It was certainly tough for my family to find my sister's remains in a man-made tomb made by Dale Warner. He's a very evil piece of human debris," Hardy said.
Dee's daughter, Rikelle Bock, thanked the community for their help.
While fielding questions, Hardy said it was Michigan State Police Sergeant Daniel Drewyor who gathered Dee's family to inform them that authorities had discovered Dee's remains.
Hardy said the process was long and arduous, but that the support of the community, the press and tips from retired police and investigators made the difficult journey possible.
Hardy also described the process of identifying the tank as a suspicious object.
"My son noticed this tank, I noticed this tank... when we saw that, we were suspicious...because it was so out of character for [Dale] Warner to be doing what he was doing," he said. "We kept it in our brains for three and a half years. When other information corroborated to make us think about that, we then took a deep dive... When we were able to corroborate our thoughts, that's what led this to us."
He also gave credit to the first Lenawee County Sheriff's deputy to have interviewed Dale Warner early on in the investigation. Hardy claimed Deputy Hall was the only one to have suspected Dale at the time.
Bock told reporters the family planned to have a formal funeral service for Dee.
"Her spirit's gone a long way," Hardy said of Dee.
Hardy said the emotions from this investigation would have a lasting impact.
"It's an emotional scar we'll wear forever," he said.
Michigan State Police are still accepting tips, but Hardy said he had no confirmed knowledge of any other suspects under investigation. Dee Warner's family spokesperson told WTOL 11 before the conference that there were around 30 police vehicles doing searches at a Warner property around 2 p.m.
When asked what Dee would say if she were here today, Hardy became emotional.
"She would say a lot, it might be in your face, it might be a hug. But she would be totally astounded by all of you, all the people," Hardy said. "She was such a people person. She wanted everyone to be her friend, and she acted that way all the time. She would be over the top that people would care this much for her."
WTOL 11 asked Hardy what he would say to Dee if she were alive today.
"We certainly would like to tell her we love her very much," he said. "I think that covers it when we say we love her very much."
The entire stream of the conference is below:
Dale's defense attorney, Mary Chartier, offered the following statement following police's confirmation of Dee's death:
The latest update from the police confirms this tragic turn of events. However, this does not change Mr. Warner’s position, and we are prepared to fight for him at trial.
Dee Warner was first reported missing on April 25, 2021. Throughout the investigation into Dee's disappearance, Dale's attorney argued that Dee had packed up and left, citing that Dee had done this with Dale before.
RELATED: Full timeline of Dee Warner's case
Dale Warner was charged by the Lenawee County Sheriff's Department for allegedly killing his wife after she was legally declared dead. The declaration of Dee Warner's death was a decision for which her family had been waiting nearly two and a half years.
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