Adrian, MI – Is missing Lenawee County woman Dee Warner dead, or is she simply missing?…that was the purpose behind a declaration of death hearing in Probate Court that took place Wednesday in Adrian.
Dee has been missing from her Munger Road home since late April, 2021. Many agencies have searched thousands of acres of farmland, buildings, and multiple forms of digital tracking capabilities… none of which have led to finding Dee.
Michigan State Police Detective/Sergeant Daniel Drewyor took the stand Wednesday. He has been working the case since the Lenawee County Sheriff’s Office asked the MSP to take the lead on Dee’s disappearance. He said that her case is being investigated as a homicide…
Detective/Sergeant Drewyor also revealed his suspect…
Dee’s youngest adult daughter Rikkell Bock also took the stand. She testified that she filed the initial police report when Dee went missing. She also said that Dee would never leave her family without anyone’s knowledge.
Rikkell testified that Dee and Dale had an extremely toxic marriage. She said that Dee told her on April 24th, 2021 that she was done with Dale…meaning that she was going to file for divorce.
Dee also said, according to her daughter in court, that she was going to either give her company to her son…or sell it. Just before lunch Wednesday, Probate Court Judge Catherine Sala determined that Dale Warner could be released from the Lenawee County Jail…where he was being held on a contempt of court charge. He did not appear at the courthouse in-person.
The petitioning attorney called for Dale Warner to take the stand…he pleaded the 5th amendment. Warner’s attorney did not call any witnesses. After hours of testimony, examination, and cross examination…there was not enough time in the court’s day to hear closing arguments and possibly make a ruling.
Lenawee County Probate Court Judge Catherine Sala set September 13th at 9am as the next date for Dee Warner’s declaration of death hearing.
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