Autopsy couldn’t confirm identity of remains found on Warner property, more testing needed

LENAWEE COUNTY, Mich. (WTVG) – Officials conducted an autopsy on the human remains found on one of the Warner properties on Tuesday, but have not been able to confirm who they belong to yet.

Michigan State Police said Tuesday the Jackson County Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy on Aug. 20 on the human remains found in a tank on property belonging to Dale and Dee Warner, but a positive identification of the remains wasn’t confirmed. MSP said further testing is needed and it should be done in the next few days. The findings so far also couldn’t confirm a manner of death.

Friends and family of Dee Warner, who went missing in 2021, believe the remains are that of their beloved mother, sister, and friend.

It comes as Dale Warner, Dee’s husband, faces murder charges in her death. He was charged in November 2023 and the case has continued to play out in the courts. He’s pleaded not guilty and his trial is scheduled for next month.

A point of contention in the case up until this point was that investigators didn’t have a body for evidence. The courts declared her legally dead earlier this year after after lengthy court proceedings that began when the family first filed a petition to establish death in 2022.

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