Dee Ann Warner’s Stepson Arrested

Dee Ann Warner. Photo courtesy of Parker Hardy.

Jaron Warner was arrested yesterday morning for accessory to murder after the fact and tampering with evidence in connection to the murder of his stepmother, Dee Ann Warner. Jaron’s father, Dale Warner, was charged with the murder of his wife and tampering with evidence in November 2023. Now, father and son are in Lenawee County Jail.

Jaron’s bond hearing is expected to be tomorrow, Monday, March 3, 2025. Family and friends of Dee Ann Warner are anxious to learn what bond amount the judge will find appropriate. Kathryn Adams, lifelong friend of Dee, said, “I think that obviously Jaron knew what he was doing. He’s smart, extremely intelligent. If he wasn’t aware of what he was doing at the time, he eventually did, and I think he should be held just as responsible as Dale.” Dale Warner’s bond was initially set at $20M and later reduced to $15M.

Dee Warner, 52, was reported missing on April 25, 2021, from her Tecumseh, Michigan farm the morning after she planned to tell Dale she wanted a divorce and to sell their various businesses. Although Dale had installed a tracking device on Dee’s vehicle, monitored her on a hidden camera, and secretly recorded her conversations, he did nothing to try to find her. Instead, he told police he believed she ran off with a rich man and was probably in Jamaica or Mexico. For added proof, he produced Dee’s diamond wedding ring estimated to be worth about $50,000. Dale claimed Dee put it on his desk before she left.

Those close to Dee insisted Dee would never take off without a word and would never leave without her nine-year-old daughter.  By all accounts, Dee’s family was her world.

For years, Dee’s loved ones fought to get justice. There was a time when it appeared it would become a cold case. But Dee’s family and friends just got louder. Soon, the community joined them. They put up signs and billboards. They rallied to have the case moved from Lenawee County Sheriff's Office to the Michigan State Police. They pleaded with the prosecutor to act on the mountain of evidence against Dale.

Dale was arrested more than two and a half years later based on circumstantial evidence. In August 2024, Dee’s body was found sealed in an anhydrous ammonia tank on property they owned a few miles from their home. The outdated tank was once used for Dale’s fertilizer business. A sign on the tank read, “Out of service. Do not fill.”

 After Dale’s arrest, Jaron moved into Dale and Dee’s home and became guardian of his minor sister. “He’s been living rent free, on Dee’s dime, with her daughter. He deserves every second of what is coming,” Kathryn said.

After Dee disappeared, those close to her suspected there was more than one person responsible, possibly several. Now that Jaron has been arrested, Kathryn said, “I’m not surprised at all. I’m heartbroken for both families. This puts everyone in a worse position and delays the healing process even more. Honestly, I’m disappointed. I thought he was better than this, but then again, there were signs of him having involvement. The whole situation is just awful.”

For background on the case of Dee Ann Warner, you can start here. For up-to-date information, join the Justice for Dee Facebook page.