Authorities dig up family property in investigation into Dee Warner’s disappearance

TECUMSEH, Mich. (WTVG) - Dozens of law enforcement officials searched various sites in Southeast Michigan this week looking for clues regarding the disappearance of a Lenawee County woman more than two years ago.

Investigators continued the search for Dee Ann Warner into Thursday, where 13abc crews saw excavators digging up farm field on the property that Dee and her husband Dale own off of Paragon Road. Investigators had cadaver dogs on scene. Authorities told 13abc Thursday night that they did not collect any evidence and have started filling the holes back in for safety reasons.

A spokesman for Michigan State Police said Tuesday they were acting on tips they’ve received in the search for Dee Warner, who was 52 when she went missing in April of 2021. Dee’s family members tell 13abc there was a house fire in 2021 not long after Dee’s disappearance in the same location investigators searched Thursday. They are left wondering what was in that home when it burned.

Dale Warner was at the site of the search Thursday morning. People captured a photo of him that’s circulating on social media. Witnesses tell 13abc he was asked to leave. The property belongs to him but witnesses say he did not stay very long.

Authorities would not tell 13abc why they have been digging in this area or disclosed any findings meaningful to the investigation. The search for Dee in Southeast Michigan that started on Tuesday involved MSP officials wearing wet suits, searching drain culverts and other locations along Michigan Highway 50 but excavators were not brought out until Thursday.

Friends and family of Dee Warner expressed their thoughts and feelings following Tuesday’s search.

“You just want answers, you know. You want people held accountable... you know... you see all these other cases going a lot quicker and you wonder why that’s not us,” said friend Kathryn Adams, “Even if it’s a bracelet, her phone, her case, car keys, anything, something that can help the investigation at this point, that’s all we want to see.”

“Quite frankly, I’ve committed to this before and I’ll continue to recommit to it, that I’m not quitting until that justice is served. Whatever it takes... however long I have to chase everyone around... we’re going to get there,” said Dee’s brother Gregg Hardy.

The following digital-exclusive video was livestreamed on May 4, 2023.

The following videos aired on May 2, 2023.

Previous coverage:

Family offers $50,000 reward to find Dee Warner

Michigan State Police officially takes over Dee Warner missing person case

Children of Dee Ann Warner petition to establish death

Husband of Dee Warner appears in probate court

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