Nephew of Dee Ann Warner Speaks Out Against Domestic Violence

Parker Hardy and Dee and Warner. Photo courtesy of Parker Hardy.

Parker Hardy, nephew of Dee Ann Warner, was the keynote speaker at the Catherine Cobb House Domestic Violence Rally today at Trestle Park in Adrian, Michigan. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Parker’s aunt, Dee Ann Warner, was reported missing April 25, 2021, the day after she planned to tell her husband, Dale Warner, she wanted a divorce. She was the mother of four adult children and a minor daughter and had several grandchildren. By all accounts, her family was her world. For three and a half years, Dee’s family and friends had to fight against Dale’s narrative that Dee had taken off to Mexico or Jamaica and was probably with a rich man.

Those close to Dee insisted she would never just up and leave – especially without her 9-year-old daughter.

In November 2023, Dale Warner was charged with the murder of his wife and tampering, but there was no body. In August 2024, Dee’s body was found in a 1,000-gallon fertilizer tank in the sprayer barn on Dale and Dee’s property. Dale Warner used many similar tanks to run War-Ag, his fertilizer business. Dale currently resides in Lenawee County Jail awaiting trial.

Parker described Dee as a fierce businesswoman in a male-dominated industry. Growing up on a farm, she learned to be tough. Dee’s strong drive is what made her trucking company successful.

“Dee’s life was cut short due to domestic abuse. Her once husband turned out to be a hidden psychopath that would ultimately take her life and then proceed to torment her family for the next three and a half years while we sought justice for the woman that gave so much and asked for none of it back,” Parker said.

According to Parker, Dee never wanted anyone to know about her personal battles. Dee passed off any problems between her and Dale as normal husband and wife bickering. It wasn’t until Dee vanished that the family learned the full scope of the relationship. “She had it in her mind that she could fix him and that is why she never left. She felt as though she was strong enough to face her own battles and she was too strong-willed to ask for help,” Parker said.

While the signs were there, Dee’s family didn’t realize she was in danger. As Parker pointed out, domestic violence, let alone murder, is almost unheard of in the farming community.

Parker expressed his disappointment in local law enforcement and government. On the long road to justice, Dee’s family’s insistence that Dee had met with foul play often fell on deaf ears. They felt unheard, dismissed, and sometimes, ignored. Dee’s disappearance almost became a cold case as a result.

“A family should never have to stand up on the courthouse steps and demand change in leadership for the greater well-being of, not only our family, but our wonderful community that supported us in so many ways,” Parker said. He was referring to the Justice for Dee rally in August 2022 where the people demanded Dee’s case get transferred from Lenawee County Sheriff’s Office to the Michigan State Police. Also, in November of 2023, Justice for Dee supporters rallied at the courthouse to urge authorities to hold the person or persons responsible for Dee’s disappearance accountable.

Parker believes Dee’s biggest mistake was telling Dale she wanted a divorce and was leaving. The most dangerous time for a domestic violence victim is when they try to leave. “Never, ever tell the person you are leaving. Have a friend with you. Go to someone’s house and call the person you are leaving. Do anything other than assume you can stand your ground yourself,” Parker said.

“I can tell you that in honor Dee, the Justice for Dee team is on a mission to shed light on, not only domestic abuse, but also the lack of leadership and common sense in our local governments that we have here. This isn't just a Lenawee County problem. It's a national problem. The system is far beyond broken,” Parker said.

Dee’s family has worked tirelessly to get justice and have faced countless obstacles. In July of 2023, a vandal cut the mesh off 65 bales of straw in the fields owned by Hardy Farms. The next week, a fire destroyed a barn and office building. It took the lives of 20 registered Holstein cows who had elite bloodlines. Most of them were pregnant. No one has been charged for these crimes.

Efforts to shut up Dee’s family and supporters have been in vain. Parker vowed to be the voice of Dee and said the voices of the Justice for Dee group will only get louder. “Dale Warner messed with the wrong family,” Parker said.

For more information on Dee's case, you can start here. To get up-to-date information, join the Justice for Dee Facebook page.