A Michigan jury found Dale Warner guilty of second-degree murder and tampering with evidence on March 10, 2026, in connection with the death of his wife, Dee Warner, whose remains were discovered sealed inside a fertilizer tank on their Lenawee County property.

Dee Warner disappeared in April 2021. Prosecutors allege that Dale Warner killed her that month and concealed her body in Tank No. 8—a fertilizer storage container located on the couple's property near Munger, Michigan. The remains were not discovered until March 2024, when they were found sealed inside the tank's spray bar mechanism.

**The Investigation and Trial**

According to trial evidence presented in March 2026, prosecutors built their case on surveillance data and digital records. The Cadillac app showed Dale Warner accessing a JCB bucket at 7:08 a.m. on the day of the alleged killing. Investigators documented that removing the inserts from the tank's spray bar takes approximately 30 seconds—suggesting the body could have been placed inside and concealed relatively quickly.

Prosecution testimony indicated that Dale Warner had actively searched for methods to dispose of evidence. On May 4, 2021, he searched "how to dispose of a thousand-gallon propane tank." Days earlier, on April 25, 2021, surveillance footage showed him gathering welding accessories. These searches initially led investigators to believe the body had been buried underground, but the discovery in Tank No. 8 ultimately solved the case.

The defense maintained that no physical evidence directly linked Dale Warner to the murder, but the jury rejected this argument.

**The Family's Search**

Gregg Hardy, Dee Warner's older brother, played a crucial role in keeping the case in the public eye. Shortly after Dee's disappearance, he organized a search effort spanning 500 to 1,000 acres, coordinating approximately 30 volunteers.

When Dale Warner showed little urgency in publicizing his wife's disappearance, Hardy took matters into his own hands. On March 10, 2022—nearly a year after Dee vanished—he offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to her whereabouts. He promoted the missing-person case through news media, billboards (including electronic versions), and podcast coverage. Dale Warner never posted a reward himself.

Hardy's interview with Michigan State Police proved significant to the investigation. He referenced Tank No. 8, noting he had observed it in the barn the week after Dee went missing. During trial testimony, Hardy initially denied that he had specifically identified the tank to investigators, though his statement to police had mentioned it.

**What Lies Ahead**

Sentencing is scheduled for May 2026. Dale Warner was convicted under file number 24-21841-FC in the Michigan jury trial. The second-degree murder conviction carries substantial prison time, while the tampering-with-evidence conviction adds an additional charge reflecting the deliberate concealment of the victim's remains.

The case highlights the persistence of family members and investigators in pursuing justice years after a disappearance, and the critical role forensic discovery can play in securing convictions when other evidence may be limited.

**Sources**

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0q4vMp3Gwk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WohXc8keJr0

https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2026/03/03/his-sister-vanished-in-michigan-was-found-dead-in-tank-what-he-said-about-her-husbands-actions/