$100M Lawsuit Filed Against Dale Warner

Dee Ann Warner. Photo courtesy of Parker Hardy.

Todd Flood, the attorney representing the children of Dee Ann Warner, announced a $100 million wrongful death suit was filed today against Dee’s husband, Dale Warner. Flood was not certain of how much Dale’s assets are worth, but he believes the amount to be over seven figures.

“That money should not go to a killer. That money should not go to his family. That money should go to the offspring and that’s why this lawsuit is being filed,” Flood said.

Dee was reported missing from her Tecumseh, Michigan farm on April 25, 2021, by her adult children. Her husband, Dale, claimed he found her $50K wedding ring on his desk and that she probably took off to Jamaica or Mexico. Dee’s family and friends knew Dee wouldn’t leave them without a word, and she never would have left her nine-year-old daughter.

In November 2023, Dale was arrested on a charge of open murder and tampering with evidence. He currently resides in Lenawee County Jail awaiting trial which is scheduled to begin September 2, 2025.

In March 2024, Judge Sala officially declared Dee Ann Warner dead. Flood said it took a lot of time and energy to take the case through probate. Flood estimated the declaration of death hearing cost well into six figures, money that shouldn’t have been wasted.

“During that timeframe, Dale knew where the body was and knew how he strangled her. We had to have a judge and a trial to show that she, in fact, was dead and not just missing,” Flood said.

In August 2024, Dee’s body was found inside a sealed anhydrous tank on property owned by Dale. Anhydrous tanks were commonplace around their farm because Dale had a fertilizing business.

In March 2025, Jaron Warner, Dale’s son, was arrested for tampering with evidence after the fact. On May 13, 2025, the charges were dropped. “It doesn’t mean he’s out in the free and clear,” Flood said. “There’s no jeopardy because it was dismissed prior to a preliminary exam.”

The wrongful death suit Flood filed today is a civil suit, separate from the murder trial. A civil suit has a lower burden of proof. Flood said two other people, besides Dale Warner, may be added to the defendant list, but did not reveal their names.

Gregg Hardy, Dee’s brother, has been a driving force in moving Dee’s case forward. “I have no part in this suit, but I fully support it. It’s a $100 million lawsuit and I am not the beneficiary of one penny of it. All I’ve ever wanted is to get the facts, the truths, the evidence, and justice for my sister. Most importantly, the civil suit may reveal some facts of this case that may not ever be revealed in the criminal court,” Gregg said.

As to the two unnamed people that may be added to the suit, Gregg said he believes there are individuals who were complicit besides Dale. “They [authorities] would continually tell me that I was wrong, that Warner was a lone wolf. Well, it seems obvious now he was not a lone wolf. We are all, rightfully so, focused on the murder trial, but if we find that other people were involved somehow, they should receive criminal charges and civil action.”

For more information on the case of Dee Ann Warner, you can start here. For all the latest updates, join the Justice for Dee Facebook page. If you have questions or opinions, please leave them in the comments!