ADRIAN, Mich. — A body believed to be that of Dee Warner, who has been missing since April 2021, has been found, a family spokesperson has confirmed to WTOL 11 on Sunday morning.
RELATED: Dee Warner Case: Full timeline
Michigan State Police state an autopsy is needed for official confirmation. Remains were found during a search of a property belonging to Dale Warner, Dee's husband, who is charged in her death. An autopsy on the body believed to be Dee Warner is to take place on Tuesday, Aug. 20.
The First District of the Michigan State Police issued a statement to update what troopers term an ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Dee Warner, stating that during the execution of a search warrant in Lenawee County on property belonging to Dale Warner, human remains were found. Officials were out on two properties belonging to Dale Warner on Friday, Aug. 16.
"The remains are currently in the process of being recovered and there will be a great deal of work and testing completed before positive identification is made. The family of Dee Warner has been contacted and advised of the findings. This continues to be an ongoing investigation," a post from MSP read.
Family notified Saturday
A family spokesperson said the family was notified late Saturday night that a body was found in an anhydrous tank, which looks similar to a propane tank but holds anhydrous ammonia.
The tank that the body was found in appeared to be empty of ammonia at the time of the body's encasement, family members of Dee told WTOL 11.
In addition, indications are that the body was well preserved, probably due to the body not being exposed to the elements and a lack of oxygen in the tank.
Family members also said that it appears that whoever put the body in the tank re-welded it shut and painted over it.
A family spokesperson says the discovery of the body happened as part of officials’ continued investigation of Dee’s disappearance and was not based on information offered up by Dale Warner.
The spokesperson also says the discovery was not the result of an outside tip being called in.
The family stated that the body was found in a secluded area on their Paragon Road property. The family further said with the autopsy scheduled for Tuesday, they are hoping to learn cause of death then.
Dee Warner's family rallied community search efforts since she went missing on April 25, 2021, and supported law enforcement's investigation into her disappearance. In 2022, the family petitioned the courts to declare Dee Warner dead.
Charged with murder
Dale Warner was charged with murder in Dee Warner's disappearance and is scheduled to appear in a pre-trial hearing on Wednesday, Sept. 4.
Dale, who Michigan State Police have previously said is the only person of interest in Dee's death, pleaded not guilty to murder and tampering with evidence charges.
On Friday, Michigan authorities executed additional search warrants at two properties belonging Dale Warner. Authorities at the scene confirmed the search was connected to Dale Warner. The Warner family farm and a property on Paragon Road were the focus of Friday's search.
The family has been outspoken on its suspicion Dale Warner killed his wife since her disappearance more than three years ago. The family was offering a reward of $50,000 for information leading to her remains.
Celebration of life
Earlier this year, the family decided to have a celebration of life for Dee Warner, despite their loved one not having been found.
"We were all confused on what we should do," said Dee Warner's nephew Parker Hardy. "How do you do this without a body? It's still different then if somebody was lost in a boat accident or something where the body wasn't recovered. It's just a different feeling."
Dee Warner's death certificate was released just over two weeks ago, which is a finality the family says they needed. On Saturday, April 20, the family planned a small ceremony at their family plot in Tipton, Michigan. Afterwards they decided upon a 'Celebration of Life' reception at their family farm for Dee's family, friends, and supporters.
"She's going to put right next to her mom and dad with an official gravestone. Her children's names will all be on there," said Hardy.
One name that won't be on there is Warner, as the family didn't want the name of her accused killer to be on the gravestone. Instead, Dee's gravestone will read, "Dee Ann, daughter of Raynor and Wanda Hardy."
"She was a vibrant personality and she always continue to be that in our hearts," said Hardy.