Help Dale Find Dee

Michigan State Police are searching a. number. >> acting on tips. >> Authorities are still looking for any. sign. >> Divers have gone in looking. An official. on scene tells me. >> And the search continues for a missing. Lenawee County woman. >> [music]. >> A successful businesswoman goes missing. without a trace. [music]. >> No signs of Dee Warner were found. >> family tell me they aren't giving up. >> Time is of the essence. The longer this. goes on, the more concerned we become.

>> She had disappeared from the family. home. >> now for quite some time. >> through so many scenarios. [music]. >> Where in the hell is she? >> My family and I need [music] to know. something. >> We searched every tip, every lead. >> More than 4,000 acres of land have been. searched [music]. >> for 52-year-old Dee Warner. >> They've used sonar, drones, cadaver. dogs. >> They started putting up billboards. around town. >> Somebody [music]. has to know something.

>> Help [music] Dale find Dee. >> Help Dale try to find his wife. >> It's a literal needle in a haystack and. you're [music] not certain where to. look. You have to look everywhere. >> Dee's four adult children and her. brother have spent [music] every waking. moment trying to find the 52-year-old. mother. >> It was a total [music] mystery of what. happened to Dee Warner. It was like. somebody just hit the stop button. on life.

>> So it was a Sunday, me and Dustin. [music] and our two girls went over to. my mom's house. >> Was that a routine? [music]. >> We'd eat breakfast at her house and then. we would go grocery shopping. >> A regular Sunday [music] breakfast, so. regular that they don't even text about. it anymore. They just show up to the. home. >> We walked in and nobody [music] was in. there. And so I text my mom and I asked. her, "Where are you?". And I didn't get a response. [music].

So, we just made some breakfast. We. cooked some eggs and toast. And [music] we cleaned up and we just. left. I called her and [music] the phone went. straight to voicemail. She always. answered her phone, always answered text. messages [music]. anytime, any day. It was just odd to me. So, I called her. friends and my other sister, my brother. Nobody knew where she was. Nobody had. heard from her. [music]. And so, I went down to my uncle's, which.

is just down the road, to see if maybe. she went down there. >> Approximately 10:00 in the morning, I was out in the field farming. I said, "Well, no, I have not seen her. I've not. heard from her, but if I call her, she. would always answer her phone.". And she did not answer and the phone. went right to to voicemail. >> And then we came back to the house and.

checked around again. You know, we were. just looking all over the house, the. rooms, the bathrooms. The Escalade was. parked in the garage. Her second. vehicle, which was a Hummer, was parked. down at the office. >> [music]. >> Was it unusual. that the Hummer and Escalade were both. there on the property Sunday morning and. she wasn't? >> Yes. My mom I mean, if she was leaving, she was driving. >> Dee never. never never walked anywhere. She would. drive to her office, which was only a. few feet away.

>> [music]. >> The house and office sat on a 1,500-acre. farm that Dee shared with her husband, Dale. >> Dale called me in the mix [music] of. that time period and he said, "She was. sleeping on the couch this morning when. I left at 6:00 [music] a.m. >> Dale Warner was very big into the. farming business. [music]. All hours of the day he would be working.

on equipment [music] or in the field. >> Dale went out to spray the fields, which. was common of him to do early in the. morning Sunday. >> Dee and I were very close. I was her. only blood nephew. Around noon, 1:00, my father called me. and he said, "Well, they can't find my. sister. >> [music]. >> Do you know where she's at?". I said, "I have no idea. The only thing I know. to do, I'm the one that installed all of. [music] her security cameras." I said, "Let's review the cameras.".

We've got cameras all over his property. that point in all different directions. The kids start going to the office and. they're looking at the cameras. Try to find any clue. Did a vehicle. come? Did a person come? Did she leave. on her own? Is there a camera that shows. her walking to the road? >> There was never anything on camera that. showed her into a vehicle. >> There are areas of the farm where the. surveillance cameras don't pick up. So, Ms. Warner could have left.

voluntarily from that location [music]. or Ms. Warner could have been taken out. from that location and that would not be. caught on camera. >> No sign of anything out of the ordinary. >> Tell me about the kind [music] of person. your mom was. >> Vibrant, loving, nurturing, always somebody that was wanting to take. care of people. >> Everywhere we went, [music] she knew. somebody. >> Outgoing, bubbly,

>> very fiery personality. [music]. >> She had four adult children of her own, four adult stepchildren that were from. Dale's [music] first marriage. Dee and. Dale had one child together who was nine. years old at the time of disappearance. >> She was obsessed with her kids. I mean, she loved [music] them. >> If I needed help with anything, whether. it was my kids, my house, my work, she. was there.

>> What was your mom like as a grandmother? >> She was very [music] involved. She. bragged about them all the time. She. loved to be a grandma. >> DUI was a successful business woman that. showed it off. She did not hide her wealth. >> We were always going shopping for things. and we always liked a lot of bling. >> Dressed to the nines, full jewelry, designer clothing, got her nails done, massage, facials, always put together. [music]. >> From like the sun up to sundown.

>> She would never leave the house without. the lashes, the makeup, hair done. >> No. No. >> So, you're a hair stylist and you would. do mom's hair? >> Even when I styled it, she she always. styled it herself. >> [laughter]. >> She was very particular about how she. liked her stuff done. >> Aside from Dee not being there that. morning, everything else seemed to be a. typical Sunday morning. >> Were you worried? >> I was [music] worried, yes. >> She was always in contact with people.

Something isn't right. They should have. some sort of text message, [music] call. to say, "I'm here, I'm there.". >> So, then a search, [music]. family members began around the home. They're looking in the bedroom, they're. looking in the office. Dale is now home. and he's convinced that she had taken. [music] off. They had an argument the. night before. It wasn't uncommon for her. to leave [music] after a heated. argument. >> The night before, Dale said that they.

[music] got into a little fight. She got. a migraine. and he gave her a massage and she fell. asleep on the ground and he picked her. up and put her on the couch and then she. was there at 6:00 a.m. [music] when he. left. >> By evening, I was very alarmed. In fact, [music]. Shelly called me and said, "Listen, do. you think they should call the police?". And [music] my response was. instantaneous, "Absolutely.". >> About 5:00 or 6:00 [music] that night, we left the house and everybody kind of. went home. And my siblings, [music] we.

decided that we needed to call 911. >> An officer is requesting a ping for a. phone for a missing person. >> Was there ever a thought [music] that. maybe this woman had a hidden lifestyle? >> This isn't the first time she's done. this, guys.

>> We're in Tipton, Michigan. A very small town in southeastern. Michigan. >> [music]. >> It's not even a one-horse town. It's a. half-horse town. You drive through Tipton and you blink. and you miss it. We have a post office and a church and. that's all we got. >> [laughter]. >> Typical farming community. You have your. soybeans, corn,

cattle. >> Basically just all [music] farmland. >> My family settled here in 1831. [music]. The main foundation of what our family's. been involved in has been agriculture. [music]. >> It has been for our family for six. generations and of course Dee was part. of that. >> [music]. >> This is a small town. Was there an. active buzz in the community about. where's Dee Warner? >> Yes. >> You all called 911. At what point do you. really think.

this is. not okay? >> Really from the very beginning. >> I quite literally took this exact. [music] route to get up to the kids when. I first was dispatched to this incident. My name is Austin Hall and I'm a former. deputy with the Lenawee County Sheriff's. Office. Started my shift like normal at 4:00. p.m. Shortly after [music] there, I was.

called to meet with a family that was. saying that their their mom was missing. So in in talking to the kids, I contact. dispatch and at least have a phone. [music] ping requested. >> An officer is requesting a ping for a. phone for a missing person. >> Which came back relatively quickly. within about 10 minutes. [music]. >> Device is currently off. The last time. the device was on since this morning at. 07:14 hours Eastern Time. >> And it was pinging off of the closest. Verizon tower that was just [music] a.

half a mile from the farm. So after I talked with the kids, I felt. like I needed to go check it out [music]. myself. And and talked to the husband who was. home there with her that morning. Anytime we have interactions with the. public, we always wear body worn cameras. And I go and knock on the door and and. as I turn to my right, I saw somebody. coming around the well, that's Dale. Warner. Hello.

Are you Dale? Excellent. I am Deputy Hall from Lenawee. County Sheriff's Office. How are you, sir? So I I hear your wife is missing. >> Well, I don't know if she's missing or. if she just [music] left. >> And he tells me that the day before the. two of them kind of got into an. argument. They had an employee. altercation. [music] That D kind of had. it out with one of their their truck. driver. >> She had an altercation with one of our. employees. I came home last night and she was. really upset. One employee decided to.

quit. >> And he says, "She's an in-your-face kind. of girl.". >> And all the occasions of [music] quite a. few people said I mean, she's pretty. wired, if you know my wife. >> I I don't know, but. >> she's in-your-face and tell you how it. is. >> And it was a very common story that even. the kids, you know, said that she was a. very opinionated woman. >> How would you describe her as a. businesswoman? >> Strong and dedicated, tough. Yes. She. could get angry and she could yell and. she could scream. >> Outspoken. If she liked you, she liked.

you. If she didn't, she didn't like you. >> I worked with Dee [music] for 5 years. >> I did accounts payable, I did accounts. receivable. We became really good. friends. >> I think she bumped heads a lot of times. with like other men because it's a woman. in a big position. >> She probably did have enemies just. because of her personality. >> So, this is all their land? >> That's correct. What you have here by. the the first blue silo, that is the uh.

what's referred to as the office. >> What do you learn then about the. businesses that Dee and Dale owned. together? >> There's three primary ones that they. have the farming operation, they have. the trucking [music] company, large. semi-tractor trailer type business, and. also some commercial spraying and. farming [music] services. His priority. was clearly the farming operation and. her baby was the trucking company. >> This was no ragtag [music]. farm business. This was. an empire of farming businesses.

There's [music] thousands of acres. involved. There are millions of dollars. involved. >> So, he goes on to say that that night. they argue, she gets a headache. >> Finally, basically passed out on the. couch, went to sleep, and got her calmed. down. And I thought, you know, that was close. to midnight when she finally went to. sleep. And then this morning around. 6:00, I got up and. you know, she was snoring away. And so. then uh I went out and got in the got my. chemicals and got the sprayer loaded up.

and went sprayed a batch. Got back here. and I went in the house and she was. gone. >> He reported several items to be missing. >> Her hair curlers gone. Her hair dryer's gone. Her makeup bag's. gone. And she has. a go bag packed all the time. >> Because of the frequency in which she. left, she kind of always had a bag. packed, it seemed. >> He mentions that she takes off all the. time. And uh it was very. much a uh run-of-the-mill situation. >> She's with someone somewhere. I don't.

know what else to do other than wait a. day or so and see what Sure, I know. she. shows up. >> Yeah, I mean, if you saw I mean, I don't. want to get everybody all fired up. The. kids are all fired up. I'm going to call. the police and get out. >> This isn't the first time she's done. this, guys. >> [music]. >> The kids had told me that. >> it's far from the first time that she. has left having an upset argument with. Dale. And so, I said, "Is there anything. unusual about this time?" And he said, "Well, the only thing unusual about it. is that their daughter didn't go with. her. >> They went everywhere together. You. didn't see one without the other, ever.

>> I'm concerned cuz my daughter's. wondering what the hell's going on. And. it's one thing to be. >> [clears throat]. >> wife to be pissed [music] off and take. off. >> Well, you know, that's sweet relief. This We've got three different. businesses here, so the tensions are. high all the time. >> Very common marital dispute like that. Often times, it's, you know, mom got mad. at dad and took off and or is walking. down the road to cool off some steam. >> a person who's normally keeps her phone. on her hip or is she pretty good. >> without it? >> Never without it. But, I told the other. kids she's got a second phone. [music]. It's a secret phone that she doesn't.

know that I know she has it. But, >> why would she have a. >> I have no idea. I haven't confronted her. about it because I didn't want the. confrontation. >> Right. Well, now, that might be an important chunk of. information there. >> If someone. disappeared on their own and there's no. activity on their known cell phone, the. secret phone could be something that she. used to communicate with someone else. >> And then on top of that, and he reaches. his hand in his pocket. >> thing that's really strange, too, is. this time.

she put her wedding ring on my desk. >> Pulls out the biggest wedding ring I've. ever seen in my life, and I said, "Interesting.". >> That ring was approximately $35 to. [music] $40,000. She never took it off. >> Leaving a wedding ring to me would say. that the marriage might be over. >> So, that reinforced to Mr. Warner that. she had left voluntarily. >> She leaves behind a $40,000 [music]. wedding ring. >> Doesn't quite make sense. Was she having. an extramarital affair? >> She's talked flirtatious about somebody.

>> There's nothing. >> [music]. >> more peaceful to me than being in the. middle of a quiet field and hearing. just nature. [music].

It it's uh my way of being closest to. God. My job during the spring season, [music]. a lot of tractor riding. It's a lot of time in a cab of a tractor. with. really nothing but a radio to listen to. And so, you're just [music] stuck with. your thoughts, and I spent countless. hours thinking about where Dee could. [music] be, what happened to Dee. >> It's now been 24 hours since Dee Warner.

has been reported missing, and Lenawee. County Sheriff's Office heads back to. the Warner house. This time, it's. Detective Kevin Greca who talks to her. husband, Dale. >> Hey. >> How you doing? >> All right. I'm Detective Greca from the. Sheriff's Department. Can we step inside. and talk? >> Yeah, we can. >> See if we can figure Yeah. See if we can. figure out what's going on. >> He says, "Oh, come on in. Come on in.". >> He says, "We're checking the roast in. the oven.". >> And as he comes in, he goes right into. his kitchen. He's like, "Oh, I forgot I. have a roast in the oven.". >> The thing shielded off. I forgot about. that. >> [clears throat]. >> Dale was not panicked.

You didn't hear worry in his voice. >> You don't expect foul play. >> No, I mean, I don't want to get. hurt. Kids are going around. >> Yeah. >> you know, getting excited. But that's. fine. It's a mile. >> Right. Right. But. >> she's done this before. I mean, I don't. want to get everybody all worked up and. excited for she shows up tomorrow. >> I just want her to come home. >> Mhm. Right. >> I'm not [music] worried about. >> No, she was just here. >> That's my wife. >> How long have you guys been married? Roughly?

>> God, 14 years, I think. >> Your mom and Dale got married in 2006. Do you remember the wedding day? >> I do. Remember the wedding day being. happy. We [music] all went and got our. hair done. She was excited and happy to. have the wedding and get married and. kind of move on with their life. together. >> So, they were both previously married. and they began their relationship. [music] as an extramarital affair. At some point, they both leave their. spouses and end up getting married. >> The Warners and the Hardys, I always.

refer to the families being [music] as. the Hatfields and McCoys because it. seemed like they were always trying to. outdo each other. >> Dale and your mom in their marriage, were they opposites? Were they similar? >> Dale and my mom were very much. opposites. My mom was outgoing. She. loved [music] to do things. She loved. talking to people. >> Dale was very quiet. He didn't like. [music] to socialize. He didn't really. have friends.

>> He was a boring person. He didn't want. to do anything. All he wanted to do was. farm and farming was his life. >> This was a lifelong interest for Dale. Even in his high school yearbook, he's. pictured a member of the Future Farmers. of America. [music]. >> I personally believe that Dee's. attraction to Dale was they both had. ambitions to do more than they were. doing. They wanted to build a little. empire. >> [music]. >> Well, when I came in here and she's. always got her phone now. >> Her curling iron.

>> All right. Her curling iron is gone. >> Her hair dryer and then her her big ass. makeup bag. >> And those are gone? >> They're gone. >> We poured through the house trying to. find something. Searching through. bedrooms, comb through that rug, look at. the couch cushions. We even looked. through garbage. >> There is nothing [music] in the house. that would point to a kidnapping, a. murder. There's no blood stains [music]. anywhere. Nothing seems out of place.

>> Nothing stolen, nothing [music] broken. >> They don't find anything in the house. that leads them to think that there was. a crime that occurred. Nothing, absolutely nothing. >> Detectives started doing some follow-up. and some interviews. >> That Tuesday after [music] she went. missing, Detective Grecco came to my. house and questioned me. >> Sorry, my daughter's [music] freaking.

out. >> I am going to start this up just so. >> I was really nervous cuz [music] I'm. like, wow, like the police are involved. >> You've reached out to her and and. nothing. And that's. >> Hold on. I've tried Snap, [music] I have. tried Messenger. >> Mhm. >> One thing that Dale reported to the. Sheriff's Department immediately was. that she had a secret phone. So, when it. came to this investigation, one of the. bridges [music] we had to cross was was. she having an extra marital affair? >> And then, who are you aware of right now. her having an affair with right now?

>> I don't know I'm aware of her having an. affair with anyone. She has never told. me. She kind of keeps [music] that. >> Okay. >> side burner. But she's talked. flirtatious about somebody, I just know. they've talked. >> Thanks again. >> Thank you. >> Appreciate it. >> Yep. >> Dale initially is very [music]. consistent about the fact that he does. not believe his wife to be having an. affair. >> You don't think she's having an affair? >> No. >> Okay. >> I don't think so. I mean, I.

I could be wrong and I'm wrong on. several things, but I don't think she. is. >> Okay. So, any previous relationship she had, we. were chasing them down at this time. >> What did you hear or ultimately. determine about that? >> She was involved in an affair, at least. one at one point. That did end prior to. her disappearance. >> When did you learn that your mom was. [music] having an affair? >> I was. a senior in high school. My mom would. have me watch my little sister and she.

would ask, you know, to go to town to go. tanning. I ended [music] up going through her. phone one time and I saw some messages. that confirmed. >> [music]. >> that it was happening and then. I didn't need to know anymore. >> Have a seat here, of course. >> Police track down a man who seems to. have had an acrimonious relationship. with Dee. >> And most of the time. >> [music]. >> he ain't.

>> [music]. [music]. >> Every minute that passed was more. unusual than somebody who was just mad. and [music] took off. They're casting a wide net on trying to. talk to as many people as possible. [music]. The sheriff's office is talking to Dee's. kids, friends, acquaintances, [music].

her brother. they're talking to Dale. >> Everyone had their own theory. [music]. >> She had COVID 3-4 weeks ago. >> This was in '21, COVID was still a very. big deal going around. He said that she was having real bad. [music] brain fog and just not quite. acting right. >> It wasn't my wife anymore. It's like her whole personality, everything about her changed. Mhm. And I.

don't. I don't get it. >> I work in the medical industry, so as. far as like COVID has affected people, maybe psychologically it really did mess. with her more than others. >> I did not see any evidence of her. personality changing with COVID. [music]. No. >> What about meds? Do you know what she's. doing on that? >> know on the meds either. >> You know she takes them? >> I know she [music] takes medication, but. I don't know what she takes. >> She had had neck pain very bad along. with migraines. She had excruciating.

migraines. >> In the interview on April 26th, they. were kind of walking through the home. and you know, he's asked about. prescription medications. He mentioned. she had taken something for her. migraine. >> Uh the medication, did you think she. took them? >> And Dale walks him over and pulls open. the medicine cabinet and it's just full. of bottles. >> No, I mean I don't mean took them. I. mean took them physically, so there's a. crap load here. Um any clue. if. >> [music].

>> if she had took some? >> She's got this many in every big apple. She's got. >> Okay. All right. And it's. What about a Well, what about the on the suicidal end? Well, do you think. >> talking about killing herself. You know, when she gets. >> Mhm. >> When you get pissed off, she's saying. stuff. >> Let me rephrase that one if I can. >> What's that? >> Yeah, that's fine. But I mean it's [music] just. >> When was the last time she had said. something like that? >> It was that night. >> Okay, so say that been. >> about killing herself. >> Okay. >> And I might will be dead. You take it as.

more of attention or something like. that. It was just normal. >> Okay. >> It's fine. Just doing a reinstall. All of my siblings and everybody's like, you know, I guess I get that she ran off. before, but she's never gone like this. This is all new. [music]. >> Police believe Dee may have had more. than one affair in the past. So, they. speak to a man rumored to have been. involved with her to see if she did have. a second phone.

>> Dee's a fair weather person. She's might. be missed by my son, but not by me. >> [music]. >> You know, uh if it was something she wanted or. something in her favor, she was as good. as it gets. She she was a a perfect. friend, but if it wasn't going her way, you're. >> Have you ever had an an affair with her? >> Absolutely not. Never once have I ever. slept with her. So, >> A- any any physical. anything you guys ever. >> Kissed. I I I kissed her a couple times, but that was absolutely the the end of. it.

>> He explains that years later he and Dee. fell out over a dispute over a potential. business deal. >> I got no love for Dee Warner. I mean, I. wouldn't kill her, but I mean, I don't care that she's gone, either. >> Do you have absolute confidence that you. were not involved in her disappearance? >> He was helpful. He provided me what I. asked him and he did it diligently to. prove that hey, I had nothing to do with. this. >> How did you communicate outside of her. normal phone and all that kind of stuff? So, >> Nothing. That's why her normal phone's. going only way I ever talked to her.

>> If she had a second phone, I have no. idea. >> Okay. Um. I'm not blowing smoke up you. I really. appreciate you coming in. This is really. important today. You gave us a lot of. good information. I thank. >> I appreciate the respect you guys gave. me. Anything I can do to help, I will. You know, I. I don't care much for Dee, but I do. really like all of her kids and. >> Yeah. >> I'm sorry they lost their mom, you know, or if they didn't know she was. going somewhere. >> He was in fact in Florida at the time. and all of his time was accounted for. He was excluded as a suspect.

>> We never found any kind of evidence that. she had a true second phone. >> Mr. Warner was trying to come up with. places he thought where Ms. Warner might. be. He was trying to come up with. aliases he thought she might use or. people she might contact. >> Like one day he came in and sat next to. me and you know, where do you think she. is? Who do you think could have picked. her up and not said anything. And I'm. just like, I have no idea, Dale. I don't. know anybody. that she knows that would pick her up. and not tell any of her family.

>> Dale would tell Parker that when he was. having trouble sleeping he would go out. and work on these tanks painting them. >> Well, I said, "What the hell are you. doing with this anhydrous tank?". >> [music]. >> Put his head down. He said, "I just can't sleep at night." He said, "I don't know what the hell's happened. to Dee.". And [music] he said, "She left me in. this terrible mess.". And he said, "So, I just can't sleep at. night. So, I told the guys to bring some. >> [music]. >> anhydrous tanks in that needed painted. and I would paint them at night when I. couldn't sleep.". So, he said, "That's what I've been. doing.".

>> She appeared to be at a breaking point. They were starting to see some signs, starting to see some issues [music]. bleeding into the marriage and the. businesses. >> She just seemed defeated on Saturday. when I saw her. But she's not She's. usually fiery and when she's mad she. [music] just you know, she'll pack her. bag and she'll leave. And this was very. different. This was. a calm, defeated. mom. >> She wasn't in In my opinion, being a. voice for the household.

um. she like wasn't in her right mind. Um. she kept going like talking and she was. talking about a fight that she had had. with. Oh god, what is his name? >> Todd Nerick shows up on the farm at. approximately 3:00 in the morning on the. 25th of April. >> Now, this is interesting. You have. another person that D was arguing with. into that weekend showing up at the. property at an odd hour.

>> Central [music and singing] 632, I'm. going to have one of our deputies. >> Dale talked to the police a number of. times. >> He's going to meet contact in Murray. >> And [music] he did allow them to search. his property a number of times. >> It's still an active [music] working. farm property while this is going on. It. is not roped off with tape. People are. coming and going on to the property, but. he is allowing them to walk around.

In the the early afternoon on April. 27th, uh Detective Greca went back on. scene. And Greca's saying, "You got a K9. here that's going to start looking as. well as some drones.". >> Got the night off. You got to go, guys. If you want to come. back, we'll let you tomorrow morning. You can be here all day. You can be. >> It's well. >> I'm really sorry, guys, but I got work. to do. I I've got fields that you know, this is the one sunny day I'm going to. have this week. I got to get to work.

>> You guys would have told me this this. morning, you know, that we could have. come by here at 6:00. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Well, I mean, I want my wife back, but god darn it, you know. >> I appreciate it. >> She left here, I. >> Right. And Greca did the proper thing. and said, "Okay, guys, I'm sorry. Consent's withdrawn. We've got to go.". And so, they all load back up and they. leave. >> All right, we just got shut down. So, um we'll debrief somewhere. He's like, "Nope, you guys are done.". >> So, >> [music]. >> he got the search warrant, goes back.

shortly after 8:00. >> I did call Dale. We do have a search. warrant for the property at this point. We're just looking for her. [music]. >> They arrive with the drones, the dogs, uh cadaver dogs as well as just search. dogs. Nothing evidentiary was found. Nothing. substantial was [music] found. Nothing. at all. Ends that day. So, then we go back. >> This pasture had oil in it that wasn't. reported. >> We got there. Dale was actually in the spray barn.

>> The first moment [music] he calls. >> And as we're talking to him, he actually. agrees for another consent search to. happen. We call more canines. [music] We. call more drones. We call more officers. and detectives to come help. He says, "Hey, I just want you to know. you shouldn't bring your dogs into the. the the spray barn. >> It's loaded [music] with insecticides. and fungicides. >> Sure. >> I just don't want you to take the dogs. in there cuz the floor is still covered. with it and they'll soak up through. their feet. We lost one of our shepherds.

in that one time. >> Yeah. >> I mean, just kind of do what you want, but I got my dogs and I don't let them. in there either one. Like I said, I lost. one of them. Chemical burn on their. paws. From there. >> We were running around. We were. um calling friends and so. um what was our next step? We decided to. have a search on that. Saturday. >> Greg, who's Dee's older brother,

>> [music]. >> took it upon himself to organize a. community search. Friends, family that. may have known Dee. >> We were the first ones to do a broad on. foot search. [music] And we walked. uh. at least. 600 to 1,000 acres. of land on foot. >> They were walking [music] miles through. fields and roads and cow pastures, just. looking for any anything. for my mom. >> We kind of had all designated [music].

Greg as our main leader. And. he finally said, "Shelly, Dee's not coming home.". And at that point, I realized, I thought, "I'm sure she's not going to now.". >> So, while Dee's family is starting to. come to terms with the idea that Dee may. be gone, investigators are looking into. a new lead. Shortly before her. disappearance, Dee got into an argument.

with one of her trucking company. employees. [music]. >> A big part of what made her trucking. business successful was their primary. dispatcher and kind of manager of the. business, Todd, Todd Nerick. >> She was very [music]. protective of Todd. She did anything she. could. >> [music]. >> for him. And then there was a lot of. times where they bumped heads. That it. was a love-hate relationship. >> I seen her that afternoon, the Friday.

before she went missing. >> That was the day that her and Todd got. into it. >> Todd told Detective Greca that he and. Dee had a confrontation about the rates. they were charging trucking customers, >> [music]. >> and it escalated. >> She was making a big deal. You know, and just [music] like. I was stealing from. It It just She was making a. a lot of noise. >> I had not seen her that upset before. I.

have seen her upset. Um I feel like she. was done. >> And so, that led into a fight with my. mom and Dale, because my mom felt like. Dale didn't have her back. >> Was there ever a time you suspected. Todd? >> When I found out that Todd left at 3:00. a.m. on the 25th, it felt very strange. to me. >> Todd Nerick shows up on the farm at. approximately 3:00 in the morning on the.

25th of April, and he does that to pick. up a load. to drive to Burns Harbor, Indiana. And. he's on the property for approximately. 10-15 minutes, and then he leaves the. property and does his takes the load. >> Where he was going. scared me. Uh he was going to the Burns Harbor. It's like a a metal melting place, essentially. So, she could have been in. the back. >> So, the only two people that were on. that property right around the time that.

Dee went missing was Dale and Todd. >> Was Todd involved? How do I eliminate. that? How do I [music] either include or. exclude him? >> A plan was hatched to secretly record. Todd. >> All day and all night and I run and. dream that she's in the building. Which is the normal thing for you right. now. >> Well, did you kill her?

>> Multiple law enforcement agencies were. in Lenawee County today resuming the. ongoing search for Dee Warner. Warner. was last seen at her home on Munger Road. in Franklin Township outside Tecumseh, Michigan. >> At this point, uh we haven't ruled. anything out. We're still investigating. it as a missing person. >> Six months now and we have nothing. Nothing added up. Time is your enemy, right? And [music] what was frustrating to me. is I saw no urgency from the. authorities.

>> [music]. >> We were sure there's probably no more. physical evidence we're going to find. So, they started checking airlines. It. was a lot [music] of administrative. nonsense. It took a lot of time. But as. far as the community was concerned, they. weren't seeing any action. >> [music]. >> The family hired Billy Little as a. private investigator. >> Well, I'm Billy Little. I'm an. investigator and an attorney for. families that are missing loved ones. [music]. Uh and they don't feel like they're.

getting the kind of results they want. That's generally when they reach out. So I. went up to Michigan and. >> [music]. >> started digging in. >> Billy was the person to come in and and. stir the imaginary pot. For excuse my language, but that was. what got the ball rolling again. He. rallied people. >> Gave us a hope that we could still. push forward.

>> This [music] is Billy Little. I'm. looking into the D. Warner. disappearance. Uh. wanted to know if you had a minute to. talk. Wanted to ask you some questions. about the the Diane Warner case. >> And that very morning of her. disappearance, a truck driver had. picked up a truck and left the premises. to go to the Chicago area. So one of my first calls was. to this guy named Todd Nerick. >> There were some reasons to look at him.

Todd was on the property in the early. morning hours of that Sunday. >> It was very suspicious to me, but. [music] I. I didn't want to believe that. he had anything to do with it because. him and my mom were very close. >> I was trying to get him to talk about. the case and the things that were going. on while he was in what he felt was a. safe environment. So this young lady was. willing to. record their interactions.

>> Somebody called me and asked if I knew. I don't know. I don't know. You know, but who who called you? >> Her brother did. >> All I know that I run into her that she. been doing. >> It's a horrible thing for you right now. >> Well. >> Did you kill her? >> No. I took a polygraph and passed. And the. remove I made that day is on camera. My. phone has been tracked and taken and run. through the police thing. >> Todd, if you were involved in this in.

any way. >> I am not. I wouldn't go along with anything. happening to her. As pissed off as I was. at her. I still have. feelings. Cuz 90% of the time she was. >> [music]. >> a joy to be around and for. 90 95% of the time that I worked there. it [music] was always this great. relationship. >> He was a probably one of the first.

employees. that worked for Dee when she began the. trucking company. And she became very close with this guy. And he was very close to her. >> Todd uh willingly took a lie detector. test. and which he passed. In my opinion, he. was not directly involved in this um. either [music]. before or even an accessory after the. fact. >> There was a camp of people absolutely. that thought [music]. perhaps Dee was killed and he was there.

to help. And ultimately this theory was. disproven. I eventually was able to rule. Todd out. >> There was definitely something in the. community where they wanted answers. So. there was this grassroots movement to. try [music] to find her. >> We had the Justice for Dee Facebook. page. >> The Justice for Dee Facebook group, it's. got [music] 25,000 people in it. The. community definitely helped big time. We. went through thousands of of signs that. said Justice for Dee.

Anything [music] we could do to. shout from the rooftops of like we need. help from [music] our community. we did. >> And Dale was not part of that. >> No. Uh there was actually a sign put in. his yard [music] and he. he took it immediately. Took it down, yes. If your wife is missing, why are you not. out there looking [music] for her? Was he doing anything to try to find. your mom? >> No. I really don't think he has he did. [music] anything.

at all. to find her. He did not show up to the. searches on foot, even when he the law. enforcement showed up to talk to him. about. >> [music]. >> her being reported missing. He was never. urgent to find her at all. >> [music]. >> I don't know. I don't know. Until. another day goes by, I Right. I'm. concerned, but I'm not, you know, alarmed yet. >> The vigils were held at our event center. at the dairy. It was amazing to see how.

many people. >> [music]. >> rallied together. >> Tonight Warner's brother Greg spoke out. for the first time. >> It is my opinion that he did not leave. her home voluntarily. But rather she was planning on. confronting Dale when he returned home. around 8:00 [music] p.m. that night. >> So now the gloves are coming off. And I said, "Well, Dale, listen, I know. you did it, and I am going to get you.".

>> So this is my mom's farm. My mom and dad. divorced, and then Dale moved in. And I live right here, right behind her.

When everything unfolded, we could. pretty much monitor everything. I just was afraid. I didn't want things to get worse. >> Was your mom a fan of true crime shows? >> Yeah, she loved true crime. >> Did she ever suggest to you anything. about what she saw actually playing out. in her own life? >> Yeah, she did. She made a comment about. it, you know, mentioning something that.

Dale could do something like that to. her. >> And by that? >> I would assume she means. >> [music]. >> he could kill her. >> Their marriage was very volatile. They. were constantly fighting with each. other. They were in marriage counseling. >> Money was absolutely an issue. Dale. didn't like Dee's personal spending. Dee. didn't like the fact that Dale always. needed the latest farm [music]. equipment. >> Were the businesses doing well? >> The trucking company was doing well and.

that's about [music] it. >> Who owned the trucking company? >> The trucking company was 100% my mom's. name. [music]. >> [clears throat]. >> They were certainly having a tumultuous. time at the end. The businesses and the. issues with those certainly appear to be. bleeding over [music] into the marriage. They'd had times where they lost. millions on different pieces. >> I did see Dale get angry a few times. I remember her telling me they were in.

an argument in her bedroom and he got. upset and pushed her and she fell and. hit her head on the dresser. >> [music]. >> It was the next morning she came in and. showed me the goose bump on her head. I just remember distinctly asking her. like, >> [music]. >> Dee, why is this okay? >> No incidents [music] of domestic. violence or abuse were ever reported to. authorities.

>> You know, my mom would say, I feel like. Dale's following [music] me. I think. he's tracking me. >> In July of 2020, [music]. she had the car in for service and it. was brought to her attention that this. tracking device was in the car. >> She was put back by that. She was really. upset. >> Dale denied that it was a tracker. He. claimed that he was using [music] it to. diagnose a problem with the Hummer. >> so. >> Did your mom discuss with you that she. was going to leave Dale?

>> Yes, [music] her biggest thing was. um she never wanted to divorce Dale. because she didn't want to leave my. little sister with him. >> I did have the hope that she would just. one day get sick of it and just be done. >> [music]. >> She told me Saturday she wanted to sell. everything. She said, "I told Dale I want to sell. everything.". And I thought, "Wow, she's really. serious.". >> Dee was going to have a final.

conversation with Dale. about leaving, splitting up the business. says on that night, and she knew it was. going to be an argument and she didn't. want the daughter to see that. So, she had a friend. that she contacted and said, "Hey, can. you watch the daughter for tonight? Cuz I'm going to have a conversation. [music] with Dale.". >> He was afraid if my mom divorced him, he. would lose everything. The trucking company, the farm, everything.

>> There's 80 acres right here. >> In my view, all the pointers were. pointing at Dale Warner. Granted, we didn't have a body, nothing. There were a couple of places that I was. suspicious about. If Dale had wanted to. get rid of her body, it only seemed. logical that it had to be somewhere. close. So, Billy said, "Can you show us where. that location is?".

>> You want me to show you where that is. though? Yeah, let's do it. We're here. >> So, we walked back there and I. specifically pointed out this location. and said that no one had really looked. there. So, we turned around to come back. and I said, "Okay, we got a problem.". I said, "Here comes Dale Warner.". >> Hardy. How are you, sir?

>> No, I'm not. >> Yeah, you know, I just realized that. when. >> No, you didn't just realize that. You. know that. >> Well, I. >> You got Mr. Hardy here with you. >> Okay. >> trespassing, too. What would you do, Greg, if I was down. your place and you didn't have. permission? You could still call me and ask. >> [music]. >> Sorry. >> No, you're not sorry. >> Well, it was truly showing your true. colors. I think he became more and more. suspicious.

that I was onto him. >> The family had really started to latch. onto Dale because of his behavior and. because of his blasé demeanor, not participating in the searches. [music]. >> That's your guy. >> [music]. >> Tell me about the billboard. Help Dale. find D.

>> Yeah, so [music] Greg bought the. billboard to get Dale's attention of. like, "Are you going to help us find. [music] your wife or. no?". >> [music]. >> We would like this billboard to trigger. Dale. to get [music] some emotion out of him. cuz somebody knows something. >> My reaction is I laughed. [music]. I thought it was very hysterical because.

obviously he hasn't lifted one finger to. help find her. >> It was a psychological play. We were. [music] hoping that by having this kind. of impact on Dale Warner that at some. point, perhaps the authorities would. literally give him a hard interview and. maybe he would actually talk. >> You couldn't make a turn without seeing. [music] some kind of yard sign, without. seeing something on the side of a farm. building. >> At every turn in Tipton, Michigan, [music] you'll spot signs like these.

demanding justice for Dee. >> Remember, this has been going on months, right? And [music] we were getting. nothing. I mean, absolutely nothing. >> Sheriff Troy Bouvier says detectives. have kept an open mind but have told. Dee's husband that he is a person of. interest in the case. >> I won't say he's been [music] extremely. active in the in the search, um but he's. been cooperative. >> I was very frustrated along with.

everyone else because I did not feel. like he was a suspect at all. >> Justice for Dee! >> So, the family caused this uproar of. saying we need the state to take [music]. over this investigation. >> I'm not afraid to tell the sheriff what. I think and I'm not afraid to call out. people who are [music] not being. accountable. And so, that's what I did. >> Jail for Dale! Jail. for Dale! Jail. >> [music]. >> for Dale!

>> Aw. This is my favorite picture of us. [music]. Oh my gosh. She was always the life of the party. We were at a Jason Aldean [music]. concert in that picture. We went to a. lot of concerts. >> [laughter]. >> This was the Keith Urban [music] concert. in the suites. That really shows her personality.

>> [laughter]. >> We had a special moment where Blue Ain't. Your Color came on. And there's a portion [music]. in that song. something about that guy isn't right for. you. >> [music]. [music and singing]. >> I screamed it at her. And I'm like sobbing cuz.

>> [music]. >> you know, he's not right for you. He's. not treating you good. And she kind of. looked at me and smiled and I don't. know. I just always remember that moment. [music] and I just wish that. you know. >> [music]. >> What happened to Dee Warner? The mother. of five from Tecumseh has been missing. more than a year now. >> [music].

>> It was tense to say the least for the. sheriff's office. They were under. immense pressure. >> In a statement to ABC News, the Lenawee. County Sheriff's Office said, [music]. "This investigation presented many. challenges for an office of our size and. we recognize our resources were. limited.". >> After months of the demands of wanting. it the case to be taken to the state. police became louder and louder.

>> Lenawee County is no longer safe under. the current leadership and threat to its. citizens. I wouldn't wish what my family has gone. through upon anyone. And we're going to. do whatever it takes to bring justice to. my aunt and prevent this from ever. happening again. >> [music]. >> We do care it because we care. Last week on the 26th, I made an. official request to Michigan State.

Police to become the lead agency. >> [cheering]. [music]. [music]. >> So, you join this case, missing woman. Dee Warner. What are your first steps when you. start? >> Uh the first thing I do is uh. essentially a basic review [music] just. to get an understanding of what's. already been done.

>> At what point did you really turn your. investigation [music]. more toward Dale? >> Well, it's interesting cuz you don't. investigate people as [music] a. detective, you investigate an incident. And what we found consistently is the. only pieces of evidence that were. pointing towards a person were all. indicating that Dale was involved in. somehow. >> [music]. >> If we're going to be charging Dale with. her murder, it was going to be strongly based off of. circumstantial evidence. And [music] I. absolutely knew I needed him to come in. and talk to me one more time.

Uh Dale Warner was seated in this corner. where the blue chair is. His attorney at the time, Larry Lieb, was here in this red chair. And myself and my partner were situated. in chairs roughly in this area. >> [music]. >> Why wouldn't you do something to Dee? >> Why? Why? I mean, that's a marriage. My. soulmate. I I love her.

>> Okay. >> The state police [music] really wanted. to dig in on all of his stories. What. made sense? What didn't make sense? Going into the interview, there are things he did on his phone at. the time of her disappearance. That he. had never been directly confronted on. these things, but um depending on his. answer would lend credibility to the. fact that he was involved in Dee's. disappearance. By his own statement, prior to 10:30, as. far as he knows, it's a normal Sunday.

and Dee's sleeping on the couch. >> Dale says once he was told that Dee was. nowhere to be found, he used his phone. to access the farm surveillance system. >> Okay, so. when you tried to access the cameras, what were you doing? >> I was looking to see if it was in the. [music] office if Dee was on the. cameras. >> Okay. So, this is looking for Dee. That's all you were trying to do? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> [music]. >> And um what about when you tried to. locate her iPhone? For what purpose was that?

>> To see where she's at. >> Same thing? >> Yeah, everybody was trying to find her. iPhone. >> Essentially, those items on his phone, he states that he was looking for his. wife. That he's checking the cameras to. see if he can find her. And he's trying. to find her iPhone to see where she is. But unfortunately for him, he did all of. those things before she's missing. >> You did all of those things before. [music]. you even learned that she was missing. >> Before she's missing?

>> Yes. >> If I looked at the camera system to see. if anybody's in the office and if it. works at night, >> [clears throat]. >> so. >> Was there anything unusual about where. the cars were parked that morning on. Sunday? >> [music]. >> I mean, the the Hummer was parked in. front of the office, so that was, you. know, unusual, especially if she wasn't. [music] in there. >> Dee's Hummer was typically parked behind. the house, but the morning [music] she. went missing, Dee's nephew said in its. usual spot, he saw tracks from a JCB.

front end loader. [music]. >> The reason that was suspicious was that. Dee had been sleeping right inside that. [music] back door. >> So, the working theory was Dale moved. the Hummer so he could park the front. end loader there and he had to park the. front end loader there because that was. the easiest way to get the body out of. the house. >> The JCB tracks were out where the Hummer. was parked. >> Does that interest you? >> News to me.

>> State police did [music] an experiment. where they got a search warrant. They. used the JCB. They drove it up to the. porch just like Dale had done on Sunday. morning and sure enough they were able. to lay the bucket right down in between. the two columns behind that back door. >> [music]. >> There's actually no doubt that you did. something with her that morning. Actually no doubt. >> She's not dead. She's not dead. She's sitting back somewhere and. watching us and laughing at me. >> That sounds fictitious, Dale. You're. being dishonest.

>> I'm not being dishonest. >> Dale, this is your opportunity to tell. us what happened on Sunday. This is your. time to set the record straight. >> I've told you. I guess Larry is we're. done, I guess. I don't know what else to. say. >> Trust me. >> [music]. >> There's nothing else to say, guys. She's. not dead. You're looking in the wrong place and. you're looking at the wrong guy. >> Okay. >> If he's done, he's done. >> There was no body. There [music] was no.

physical evidence. that connected that he did it. >> So, have a good Christmas. >> Thank you, too. >> Oh, gosh. We're having [music] trouble finding her. body and you know, you wake up at 2:00. in the morning and you think, oh, did. she go here? Did he Did [music] he put. her here? >> The search for a missing Lenawee County. woman intensified today. Michigan State. investigators actively digging at a site.

as we speak. >> [music]. >> We had to find her, Dee. >> Tell us how difficult it is to have this. vast [music] of an area as a crime.

scene. >> We had no physical evidence, so you're. left pondering [music]. what's possible, and you go with what's. the most likely, which are areas of. control, [music] and those are the areas. that they they own and the areas that. they lease for farming, which is still. thousands of acres. So, it's a [music] it's a literal needle. in a haystack. >> Within a couple weeks of Dee's. disappearance, Dale conducted an. internet query on his iPad, and the video that he clicked on was how. to bury a large thousand-gallon propane.

tank, which became in part why we were working. off of the theory that she was buried. based off all the land that they had. >> And then when the state police took. over, it got a whole new life. You saw. the state police doing more searches. I. mean, we would literally some days watch. them dig and bring in big pieces of. equipment. >> We've been up here for most of the. morning, and I want to give you a live. look at what's happening. Dee Warner. disappearing in 2021. This is the. property of Dee and Dale Warner. >> [music].

>> So, we uh conducted a multi-day search. with. you know, between 100 and 150 personnel. depending on the day to make sure that. we searched in different levels. If she was there, we wanted to find her. >> They've been pretty tight-lipped today. about exactly why they are digging and. what brought them here, even to Dee's. family. >> I think that there's something uh that. they've really been tipped off of here. I don't know what it is. >> We've been searching and searching and. searching. I mean, I'd hired drones, we've been on foot, the state police. I.

mean, it goes on and on and on. And it. became very apparent we weren't finding. her buried. >> [music]. >> Nothing. We found absolutely nothing. >> In 2023, I did meet with detectives. and they walked me through this case. And at that point in time, I was. convinced that Dale murdered his wife. >> How did you react when.

they said, "Yeah, we have enough here.". >> We would have just felt like, you know, here's another the next step. You know, we were a long way from the. end, but this is such a good. step forward. >> Hey, Dale. You're under arrest for the murder of. Dee Warner. We're saying Miranda's. [music] back. >> Are you kidding me? >> Interlace your fingers like you're going. to pray. Yeah. >> I got the call from my news director, and it was almost like, "You're not.

going to believe it. They arrested him.". >> We just received the news from MSP today. that an arrest has finally been made. >> Oh my gosh. I couldn't believe it. I. >> [music]. >> I wanted to be there when I when they. put the handcuffs on him cuz I knew they. were down the road, but they wouldn't. let us. >> It was like. that 900-lb elephant. was. off of your shoulders for a second.

>> But Michigan State Police believe. they've cracked this case, but it is far. from over. Dale Warner officially. charged with his wife's murder and. tampering with evidence, pleading not. guilty today. >> In any kind of an arrest, a murder. arrest in Michigan, there's a. preliminary hearing. >> A preliminary examination in Michigan is. essentially a mini trial, just to see if. there is enough probable cause to see. that A, a crime was committed and B, that the defendant is the one that may. have committed it. So, [music] we do. hear evidence.

>> The hearing will determine if Dale. Warner will stand trial for the death of. Dee Warner. >> Mary Chartier, defense lawyer, >> [music]. >> which is one of the best. >> At the preliminary examination, the. detective admitted they had no evidence. at the point that she had even been. murdered, let alone that Mr. Warner was. reportedly the person who did it. >> A [music]. no body homicide arrest and trial is. very uncommon. >> Without a body, this case was extremely.

hard. We We've got one shot, and [music]. if her body's found in another date and. time and a jury has found him not. guilty, we can't come back and redo. this. >> There was no body, so they couldn't even. say that she was dead. >> Were you thinking. they're really going to be able to. charge him? They'll really be able to. get a conviction. >> We have all this circumstantial. evidence, [music] but. you know, you can argue that either way. >> It was Yeah, we we had no idea. We were. so scared. >> Breaking news in the case of Dale.

Warner. Today, a judge ruling the. Lenawee County man will stand trial for. the murder of his wife, Dee. >> This is a break that the family was. waiting for. It is a relief to see it. happen, but she's still gone. And they still hadn't found her. Investigators for a long portion of. Dee's disappearance believed she was. somewhere underground.

>> Is there a possibility [music]. that this body is above ground? >> They were doing a search that day. I got. a text, "The detective wants to have a. emergency meeting tonight.". >> Part of the darker side of policing. >> [music]. >> from a personal point, especially when you're working on.

violent crime, is. you're at home with your wife and your. kids, or [music] you're doing family. stuff, but you're always thinking about. whatever you're working on. You have an idea, you jot it down, or. you remember you have to do something, and so. I lived this case for years. >> [music]. >> The investigation focused underground. for the majority of the time, [music]. but I believe investigators then they. started thinking that maybe they should. take a look above ground.

>> I had kind of up-and-down relationship. with Greg Hardy, but at this point we. were on pretty good terms, so I could. call him to get information. And when we were on good terms, he was. very helpful. I asked him about the. tanks. >> He calls and he said, "Listen, Greg." He. said, "Where does Dale Warner keep those. anhydrous tanks?". And I said, "Well, there's some at the. home farm, and there's some on the. Paragon farm.". >> So, investigators got a search warrant. to take a look at what fertilizer tanks.

on Dale's property had maybe been. tampered with, something that didn't. come with the original tank. >> These tanks, they're. approximately 30 ft long. Uh they weigh thousands of pounds. They're very large. When I get to the. Paragon Road [music]. barn on that particular day, there's. I think right around 13 or 14 tanks. stored [music]. kind of in conjunction with each other. There's an open part of the barn, and. some stored outside, all kind of parked.

near each other. >> It was Greg, Diesel's brother, >> [music]. >> that had remembered Dale painting one of. the fertilizer tanks on his property. [music]. >> I said, "All I can tell you. is the tank that I saw he was working on. to. to restore it. So, if you were looking. for that tank, it would have fresh paint or new paint. It would have. a non-factory weld on it.

>> And so, [music] what did you find here? >> There were tanks kind of scattered. throughout everywhere. And it wasn't until close to the end of. my time at this property that I opened. that barn door. >> [music]. >> and I saw that one tank alone. This particular tank was painted fresh. It very clearly had a a non-factory. [music] weld, was painted after this. weld, and then had new stickers applied. to it, and a tag that says do not use. Which all of those things together were. suspicious to me.

>> Then he calls back. [music]. He said, "How can we find out if there's. something in the tank?". I said, "Well, it's ammonia, [music]. it's a gas. You'd have to be careful because it's. toxic.". >> Because the gas [music] is so toxic, they're designed to not have any. openings. And so, you can't see what's. inside of them. So, we had to come up. with a way of if we find a tank that's. of interest, how are we going to search. it? >> I said, "You know, Dan, that there's an. X-ray machine at the Canadian border. If.

you could get those guys. >> [music]. >> to do that, they radiograph trucks. there. So, they could easily radiograph this. tank.". >> We didn't know exactly what had led. investigators to that tank, but we knew. it was different than the searches we've. seen before. We're all wondering, why that one, what. did they learn, and. >> [music]. >> what's inside? >> They loaded it on a flatbed trailer by a. wrecker service,

took it to Detroit. >> When I am putting this tank on a tow. truck to drive it an hour to go get an. x-ray. I am zero confident that this is going. to amount to anything that's beneficial. to the case. But, that's the job. You that you you. look, right? And when I show up, a bunch of other. people come in this room. [music]. And the x-ray flashes on the screen. And the guy sitting in the chair says, "There she is.".

I can truly tell you that next to the. birth of my children was one of the most. profound moments I've ever had. >> Hello, this is a prepaid call from. >> Dale. >> So, information is really powerful in. police investigations. And especially. when someone's incarcerated, listening. and monitoring their jail phone calls. can be really important. So, after. having the tank [music] x-rayed, I. called Dale's son, Jaren, and informed. him of the search that we had conducted.

>> And tank And I just [music] take number. 34 is what the search warrant says. >> Tank number 34? >> Yep. >> So, they took that tank [music] and. another you know, x-rayed it or. something. I'm like, "What a total waste. of time.". >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> You know, that's not good. >> Why would you care if I'm cut one of. your old tanks open unless you knew what. was inside of it? >> After [music]. years of searching underground, of.

searching the properties, she was inside. [music] that tank the entire time. >> Dee was found in pajamas in the tank. She was barefoot [music] wrapped inside. of a tarp. The tank was essentially airtight, and. no insects [music] or animals could get. in it. So, all the things that would. typically degrade a body were not able.

to get inside. It was much more well preserved than. what I would anticipate. >> I got a text. The detective wants to. have an emergency meeting [music]. tonight. >> What did you think? >> Immediately I I knew something wasn't. right. I mean, I knew like my. >> [music]. >> my stomach was just in knots and we met. up. We all met up, my siblings and. everything. And. he showed us the pictures of. my mom. >> [music]. >> in the tank.

>> Just seeing pictures of your mom. deceased, how do you [music] feel? >> It was such a mix of emotions. It was. the relief [music] that we felt because. we knew. that our mom didn't run away. But then to to think about the reality. of what happened to her was really hard. >> Knowing this whole time that while I was. working, she's like in a tank behind me in a. barn,

is disgusting. >> Well, you're first you're overcome with. emotion [music] and sad and grief and. then. then there's another relief like this is. going to be so much better to prove. that he did it. >> Well, this morning a case [music] that. has gripped Southeast Michigan for. years. >> Inside the courtroom, it was high. stakes, it was high [music] tension.

>> And it was high-tech. Surveillance. cameras captured the chilling moments at. life on the farm with Dale Warner. >> [music]. >> This case ranks at the top of all of the. lists imaginable, the hardest case, [music] the oddest case. >> The most difficult case, most stressful.

case, most interesting case that I've. had, easily. >> We charged it in November of 2023. [music] We didn't get to trial until. February of 2026. >> The trial begins in Adrian, Michigan. In a small [music] courtroom, packed. shoulder to shoulder. >> Opening statements begin today in the. murder trial of Dale [music] Warner. >> This is Dee Warner. April 24, 2021, she went home to tell. her husband, >> [music].

>> the defendant, that the marriage was over. She was. never seen or heard from again. >> We anticipated [music] a trial with. dozens of witnesses, and the witnesses. might know a part of the beginning, a. part of the middle, and part of the end. >> The prosecution's theory is that there. is an argument, there's a fight, there's. a blow-up between the two of them. There's a physical altercation, and. [music] Dee loses her life that night. >> This marriage had no intimacy, only.

secrecy. >> The medical examiner ruled that it was a. homicide by blunt force trauma to the. head and strangulation. >> When they read [music] us the autopsy. information, that was brutal. >> Prosecutors did a really good job of. painting a timeline of what may have. happened. >> I think he kills her. He goes out, gets. the JCB, brings it up to the house, puts her body. in the bucket, takes her back into the. spray barn. >> Prosecutors point to a safe in the spray.

[music] barn. That's where they believe. Dee's body was stored after the murder. >> How could he have hid her body while he. was doing all these things and all these. people are moving around the farm? And the obvious answer from the people's. side is he. put her in that safe. >> I'm going to show you people's [music]. exhibit 254. What is this? >> That's me laying inside of the safe. >> Dee Dee Warner's body would have fit in. the safe that was in the spray barn. >> Then, according to prosecutors, [music]. Dale moved Dee's body out of the safe.

and into the tank. >> I want you to understand where the. cameras are and what they show. >> The surveillance video is absolutely. key, especially in retrospect. >> [music]. >> There's powerful testimony from a welder. about everything you would need to. properly open up something like [music]. a tank and then close it and weld it. shut. >> We're talking about MIG welding or wire. welding. >> He would have used this type of welder, a MIG welder. Well, here he is getting. that exact welder [music]. that he had on the property.

>> Typically, you would use an angle grinder with an. abrasive wheel. >> Here he is on video getting an angle. grinder on Sunday afternoon. >> A welding mask [music] and then probably. uh. heavy-duty welding gloves. >> There's Dale getting welding mask and. gloves. >> The welding expert mentioned [music]. that you would get almost a sunburn if. you weld without long sleeves. >> [music]. >> If you did this without something on. your arms, what would you expect to see? >> You could expect to [music] see.

essentially some burn marks. >> This is from the body camera on Monday. the 26th. And there's Dale's arm. >> [music]. >> And that becomes pretty pivotal because. the prosecution is arguing that that's a. burn from the welding. >> This is the spray barn here. As you can see in the back left corner. here, that [music] is tank 34. When he got a little bit too close for. his liking, he's going to start spraying. us out right out of the barn.

>> [music]. >> That was tough to see and know that we. were right there and we we might have. been able to save that family from a lot. more anguish. >> And I'd like to [music] walk through. some of the reasonable doubts this. afternoon. >> The defense had to completely redo their. [music] defense strategy from we don't. know where she is to we don't know. exactly who did it. >> The government's speculative theory is. [music] that Mr. Warner killed Ms. Warner in the house while not leaving a.

single trace of physical evidence. >> There was no direct evidence that Mr. Warner harmed Ms. Warner. >> They were trying to make the argument. [music] that there'd be every reason for. him to have a piece of farm equipment. This is a guy with an active farm and he. has a wife that has disappeared before. and he is going on with his life. >> The fact that he grabbed a welder, no I. don't equate [music] to him cutting open. the tank, putting his wife inside, putting it back on again, welding it. shut, painting it. >> The defense [music].

kept repeating that this was all. circumstantial. >> There's no evidence that Ms. Warner was. in the safe, [music] no blood, no hair, no DNA, absolutely nothing. >> Yes, she was murdered. Yes, she was. found in a tank and their story was that. [music] Dale did not do any of that. >> Your Honor, the defense would call. Gregory Hardy. >> They were asking hard questions. How do. you have access to the property? What do. you know about tanks? >> You said you wanted them to look for. [music] a specific tank, correct? >> Yes. >> Thank you. And then once the tank was found, you.

told the police that you know how to cut. an anhydrous tank [music] open, right? >> Yes. >> Seemed to me like it was more in our. favor than the defense and we were able. to show all the things that he did to. try to find D. >> I called. anybody that I could think of. >> Greg was emotional during his testimony. >> Do you have an idea of how many people. you called in this effort? >> I'm sure over 100. >> It was really powerful [music] testimony. about a brother who's just done. everything he possibly could to find his.

sister. >> Welcome back, ladies and gentlemen. We. are ready to proceed with closing. arguments at this point. >> The prosecutor does not need to have a. motive to prove that the defendant had. reason to commit the crime. But, he was not getting another divorce. >> I bet you're one divorce. I should have. held on to what I got for you know. >> [music]. >> The money or what? Is that worth it? >> If D divorced Dale and [music] the. trucking company was actually hers, he.

was left with a failing farming. business. I think he was very much. motivated by the money, what he was. going to lose. >> You're not here to determine if a. tragedy occurred because it did. What. you are here to determine is if the. government has proven its case against. [music] Mr. Warner beyond a reasonable. doubt. And it didn't. >> We want you. to return a verdict of guilty of murder. and tampering with evidence. >> You have these 12 [music] people that. are. really determining his fate. >> Was it convincing enough?

>> You may think you have the best case in. the world, but you at the end of the day. don't know what the jury is going to do. >> It was almost like every emotion, [music]. you feel it all at once. >> You're almost in disbelief. >> [music]. >> The last 5 years has been. the hardest years by far. of my life.

>> In a case where a woman is murdered or. goes missing, everyone thinks the. husband did it. >> We were trying to get across to the jury. the lack of any direct evidence that Mr. Warner murdered Ms. Warner. >> Breaking news out of Lenawee County, Michigan in the murder trial of Dale. Warner. The jury has reached a verdict. >> Members of the jury, you do say upon your oaths that you find. the defendant, Dale Warner, as to count one,

guilty of second-degree murder. As to count two, guilty of tampering with evidence. [music]. >> It's not like it's just a. light switch. When you've done this for. 5 years, 365 days [music] a year, damn. near 24 hours a day, it doesn't just hit you in that moment. when. the verdict guilty comes out. >> You want to cry, you want to laugh, you. want to smile, you want to yell.

The kids [music] finally have some. closure. We finally have answers for. them. >> It didn't feel [music] real. I mean, it. was really hard to. really process that. this is actually done. And [music] we can move forward. >> You've since gotten engaged. >> Yes. My mom highly encouraged us to [music]. get married. a long time ago. He.

>> [music]. >> had it made so that my mom's birthstone. is um a part of [music] the ring. >> Good morning. Today's the day. >> Yeah, it is sentencing day. I took a quick look at my impact. statement. and tried to, you know, muster the uh.

the personal fortitude to deliver. [music] it today. >> This is what we've been waiting for. Now. is our turn to. give our peace of mind. >> Good [music] morning, Your Honor. My. name is Raquel, and I am the mother of. three of Dee's beautiful grandchildren. My mom was blessed to meet two of them, but my youngest will only know her. through the stories we share. Her death.

created a pain and burden that none of. us will ever fully recover from. >> I only hope that the only way. Dale Warner is able to leave prison. is in a small dark box. >> [snorts]. >> May God absolutely have no mercy on him. whatsoever. >> Dale, you not only destroyed all of our lives, but also the lives of your children and. families. [music]. Dee knew we would fight to the end, and. we won. And now I'm going to remove my bracelet.

that I wore since Dee was missing. because we got justice. Thank you. >> A Lenawee County judge handed down a. sentence of up to 70 years in prison. [music]. >> Right now I feel so much relief. that everything's over. >> [music]. >> That was kind of the final. final day of this nightmare we've been. living. And I'm so glad.

>> [music]. >> How's your little sister? >> She's doing pretty well. I mean, she's now 14, and. she's a strong kid. [music]. She lives with Dale's son. in my mom's house. And then [music] she also goes to my. older sister's house, and then I can see. her whenever. >> What do you tell her about your mom? >> It's always [music] a. oh, mom used to do this, or. you know, mom loved this kind of food.

We just bring up [music] anything that. kind of comes to mind just to refresh. her memory of my mom. >> I've always grieved from the very. beginning. Uh I grieved on the first day. that I knew she was gone. Your life is. never the same. >> She was a great supporter of love and. family. I wonder if it ever goes away. like they're really gone. It doesn't seem possible. Dee's gone. [music]. >> What do you miss most about her?

>> There's so much. Her supportiveness. [music]. And her love. >> [snorts]. >> What happened to her does not define who. she is. She was a strong, [music] strong woman. And. the people that knew her the the [music]. most knew that they could rely on her.

for whatever it was. And that is the truth. She was a good person. >> Dee Warner's daughter, Raquel David, has. filed a wrongful death lawsuit. She's. asking for a hundred million dollars. against their mother's killer, Dee's. husband, Dale. >> He declined to speak to us here at. 20/20, but his attorney tells us tonight. that he plans to appeal his conviction. That's our program for tonight. Thanks. so much for watching. I'm David Muir.

>> And I'm Deborah Roberts. From all of us. here at 20/20 and ABC News, good night.