Dale Warner Still Claims He Didn't Kill His Wife

The adult children of Dee Ann Warner have filed a $100M civil wrongful death suit against Dale Warner for the murder of their mother. This morning in Lenawee County Circuit Court, there was a motion hearing filed by their attorney, Todd Flood.

The original complaint was filed on May 21, 2025, and because Dale Warner’s legal team did not answer, Flood requested a default. Essentially, a default would mean Dale Warner would forfeit his right to defend himself, and he would accept Dee’s children’s claim as true and award damages without trial.

Shawn Head, the attorney representing Dale Warner, argued that there was an agreement between the two parties and there was an extension to respond to the complaint. Head said, “Professionalism and a phone call could have avoided this issue.”

Flood came back with, “The truth matters. There isn’t any kind of agreement.”

Flood reiterated the words Judge Sala wrote when she declared Dee Ann Warner officially deceased, “clear and convincing evidence that the death of Dee Ann Warner rests solely upon the shoulders of the person who stood to benefit the most from her death – Dale Warner.”

Judge Olsaver opted to take some time before making a written judgment.

The scheduled pretrial this afternoon at 3:20 is postponed. The hearing is delayed until September 22, 2025.

Dee Ann Warner was reported missing by her four adult children on April 25, 2021. Her husband, Dale, told police he believed she had left of her own accord, without her phone, Apple Watch, or her 9-year-old daughter that meant the world to her. She was discovered inside a fertilizer tank that was owned by Dee's husband’s fertilizer business.

Dale and his lawyers continue to claim he is innocent.

For background of the case, you can start here.