Family Speaks Out About Dalewayne Turner As Wife, Half-Brother Face Charges For His Dismemberment

PLAINFIELD, IL — The family of Dalewayne Turner, the Plainfield-area man whose body was found dismembered in Lake Mattoon and in a basement freezer, has spoken out, remembering Dalewayne and saying they believe his wife "is the mastermind behind this horrific crime."

Dalewayne Turner's wife, 62-year-old Robin Turner, and his half-brother, 26-year-old James Adams, are each charged with concealment of a homicide and dismembering a human being in connection with his death.

An investigation into 38-year-old Dalewayne Turner's death began June 28, when recreational boaters on Lake Mattoon in central Illinois discovered a partial severed arm bearing distinctive tattoos. On June 30, prosecutors said Adams confessed the crime to a family member, and the next day, investigators found additional body parts confirmed to belong to Dalewayne Turner in a basement freezer while executing a search warrant at their shared residence in the 2400 block of Ruth Fitzgerald Drive.

Dalewayne Turner's cousin, Chrystal Mann, told WAND News that the family had no reason to believe him to be missing. Relatives were told he was in rehabilitation and did not want contact with the family as he was receiving treatment, according to the report.

"I stared at [the photo released of the victim's Green Bay Packers tattoo] for probably five to 10 minutes and thought, 'Why do I recognize that?'" Mann said. "Then in my mind, I thought, 'Well, no one I know has been reported missing.' So I said a prayer for whoever it was and their family and went on about my day... not knowing it was my own family."

The Turner family alleges in a statement shared with Patch that Robin Turner "manipulat[ed] James since he was a young boy.

"Now [Dalewayne is] dead and [Robin] is blaming James after convincing James that if he didn't take the blame he would lose her too just like he lost his mom," the statement reads.

The family said that they could not share many details due to the ongoing investigation, but court documents show Robin Turner began Googling certain questions and phrases weeks before her husband's body was discovered, Patch reported. Searches included "does chloraphorm really knoc uou out," "chest freezer" and "how do you divorce someone you can't find."

Read the family's full statement:

Murder charges have not yet been filed in the case. State police have said more are expected.

Robin Turner is due to appear again in court on Friday, and James Adams's next appearance is scheduled for July 29. The pair remain in custody at the Will County jail.

Fundraiser created

In a GoFundMe campaign, the family described Dalewayne Turner as someone who "always went out of his way to help others."

"Dalewayne was a huge Chicago Bears fan, and his passion for the team brought so much joy to our family gatherings," it reads. "He was always the first to cheer during games and loved sharing his excitement with everyone around him.

"Dalewayne's sense of humor and kindness made him a beloved friend to many."

The fundraiser seeks to help cover Dalewayne Turner's funeral and other unexpected costs. The campaign is nearly 70 percent to its $2,600 goal.

"We want to celebrate his life and the impact he had on everyone who knew him, and your generosity will make that possible," the GoFundMe reads.

Additional coverage:

• Dismemberment Case Isn't First Slaying To Rock Plainfield-Area Man's Family
• 'I Killed Dale, He Is In The Freezer': Prosecutors Say Brother Confessed In Killing, Dismemberment
• 'Chest Freezer,' Chloroform: Wife's Search History Before, After Plainfield-Area Man Was Killed, Dismembered
• Detention Hearing Delayed For Wife, Half-Brother Charged In Dismemberment Of Plainfield-Area Man: Prosecutors
• Remains Found In Lake Belong To Plainfield Man, 38: State Police