On April 25, 2021, the tranquility of Lenawee County, Michigan, was shattered when Dee Warner disappeared from her home under mysterious circumstances. The 52-year-old mother, who lived with her second husband, Dale Warner, and their child, was well-known for her industrious nature, balancing responsibilities across several businesses including trucking, farming, and chemical sales. Her sudden absence led to frantic searches and investigations, fueling suspicion around Dale's behavior.
The alarm was first raised by her daughter, Rikkell Bock, who arrived for their scheduled Sunday breakfast only to find her mother missing. Despite both of Dee's cars being parked outside, there was no response to calls or texts—behavior many found alarming considering Dee’s penchant for keeping her phone close. "If my mom could glue her phone to her hand, she would," stated Rikkell, echoing the sentiment of family and friends who described Dee as hardworking and generous, dedicated to her multiple businesses.
On the day prior to her disappearance, Dee had reportedly been upset after a confrontation with two employees from her trucking business, raising concerns among her family about her mental well-being. Dale Warner told police upon their arrival at the home about her emotional state but appeared unconcerned, presuming his wife had left to cool off. He mentioned personal items missing, which he believed supported his hypothesis. Yet, Dee’s brother, Gregg Hardy, felt compelled to act. Within days, he mobilized approximately 50 volunteers for extensive ground searches around the farm without success.
A source of unease grew from Dale’s demeanor during these searches. Gregg Hardy recounted seeing Dale on a four-wheeler, appearing indifferent toward the search efforts: "I was getting these, call it a gut feeling if you like, but I was very suspicious of his mannerisms," he shared. This skepticism deepened following Dale’s remarks about the investigation weeks later, as Hardy directly confronted him about his possible involvement.
The investigation took time, with repeated searches by police and no evidence of violence or signs of Dee, dead or alive. Dale cooperated with investigators, permitting multiple searches of his property. He maintained through his lawyer he had not harmed Dee. Nevertheless, the mounting pressure from Dee's family and friends led to organizing community vigils, with one prominent event held by Gregg Hardy. During this vigil, he expressed frustrations about the investigation and publicly questioned Dale’s account of events.
Approximately three months after organizing the vigil, Shelley Hardy, Dee's sister-in-law, was inspired by a program she watched about other missing persons. A statement from the featured attorney, "You don't get to get away with murder because you're good at disposing of bodies," ignited her and Gregg's determination to seek help for Dee's case. They connected with attorney Billy Little, who arrived to assist with investigation strategies, advocating for more public attention on the case and pressure on Dale.
This push included erecting billboards promoting accountability: one read, “Help Dale Find Dee,” aimed at the local trucking community, sending the message Dale needed to play his part. The grassroots movement grew, prompting the involvement of Michigan State Police and later the FBI to assist with the case.
Following significant pressure, the Michigan State Police assumed command of the investigation by August 2022. Their efforts culminated on November 2023 when authorities arrested Dale Warner and charged him with the murder of Dee Warner, maintaining her body has yet to be discovered. Despite pleading not guilty, he remains locked as the trial date is set for September 2, 2025.
At present, many aspects of the case remain unresolved; police revealed they located strong physical evidence tied to the case shortly after Dale's pretrial hearings, leaving the community on edge as they await more clarity on Dee's fate. The tight-knit community of Lenawee County continues to rally together, pressing for justice and demonstrating the importance of family, truth, and resolution amid the uncertainty surrounding Dee Warner’s disappearance.
The Hardy family and their supporters remain steadfast, balancing hope for justice with the grim reality of Dee Warner’s unresolved fate. They continue to advocate for answers, determined to keep her memory alive as they navigate the storm of emotions surrounding this unsettling case.