Trial Underway for Michigan Man Accused of Hiding Wife in Fertilizer Tank

Nearly five years after Dee Warner vanished, her husband's murder trial is now underway in Lenawee County, bringing long-awaited courtroom scrutiny to a case that has gripped southeast Michigan.

RELATED: Michigan Cold Case Files: Unsolved Murders In Jackson

Overview of the Dee Warner Murder Trial

Prosecutors allege Dale Warner killed Dee on April 24, 2021, after she told him their marriage was over and that they would sell their businesses. WDIV reports Prosecutor David McCreedy told jurors that Dee was never seen or heard from again after that night.

How Dee Warner’s Remains Were Found

According to the prosecution, Dee's remains were discovered years later inside a sealed anhydrous fertilizer tank on the Warners' property. Investigators reportedly inserted a camera into the tank before cutting it open and observing a tarp inside. Wrapped inside, police say they found Dee's body.

In court, jurors were shown photos of the tank. Prosecutors allege Dee was still in her pajamas, with duct tape covering her face and neck. They further claim she was strangled and suffered blunt force trauma to the head and face.

Prosecutors Present Allegations in Court

The state also presented evidence suggesting Warner tracked Dee's movements more than 2,000 times between January 2020 and April 2021. Surveillance video shown in court allegedly depicts him retrieving welding tools from the farm to seal her into the fertilizer tank.

Defense Pushes Back on Evidence

Defense attorney Marisa Vinsky countered that the case is built on "speculation, assumption, and innuendo," urging jurors to question the prosecution's timeline and the integrity of the investigation.

RELATED: Unsolved Murders in Michigan's Capitol: Lansing Cold Case Files

Family members testified about escalating marital tensions and Dee's stated plans for divorce. The trial continues and is expected to run through mid-March, with additional witnesses scheduled to appear.