Cousin remembers Plainfield man allegedly dismembered by wife, half brother; remains put in freezer

CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Ill. (WLS) -- Family members of Dalewayne Turner say they are struggling with grief and unanswered questions as Turner's wife and half-brother face charges in connection with his death.

Illinois State Police were back at the Plainfield home where Dalewayne Turner, 38, lived with his wife, Robin Turner, 62, and half-brother, James Adams, 26, according to court records.

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Authorities say additional remains were found there after boaters discovered parts of Turner's body more than 160 miles away in Lake Mattoon. Investigators later identified the remains as those of Dalewayne Turner.

Robin Turner and Adams appeared in court Monday. Both are charged with dismembering a human body and concealment of a homicidal death. Court records show the two are co-defendants on those charges.

During Monday's detention hearing, prosecutors asked that Robin Turner remain in custody pending trial, arguing she poses a danger to the community and citing what they described as an extensive effort to conceal Dalewayne Turner's death.

According to prosecutors, investigators recovered multiple bags containing dismembered human remains from Lake Mattoon after recreational boaters spotted part of a human arm in the water. Authorities said the remains were found in black trash bags that also contained weights and concrete and were secured with tape. The remains were later identified as Dalewayne Turner through tattoos and other identifying features.

Prosecutors told the court that surveillance footage, license plate reader data and store records helped investigators connect Adams and Robin Turner to the case. Court records allege Adams purchased weights and duct tape at a Mattoon Walmart, while investigators also recovered evidence showing Adams and Robin Turner purchased concrete days earlier.

The hearing also focused on statements made by Steven Turner, Dalewayne Turner's brother. According to court filings, Steven Turner told investigators that Adams said he "grabbed a knife and stabbed Dalewayne several times." Court records further state that "James and Robin both recounted that Dalewayne was stabbed several times, bled out, and succumbed to his injuries."

Steven Turner told investigators he left the residence after hearing the alleged admissions and called 911. Police later detained Robin Turner and Adams.

Court records further state that Adams declined to give a full statement after being advised of his rights but allegedly made a spontaneous statement to investigators, saying, "The one thing I will say is that I did it, but I did it out of self-defense. I will tell you guys that."

According to prosecutors, Robin Turner gave investigators a different account. Court filings state, "Robin stated that on Sunday, June 21, 2026, sometime in the morning, James and Dalewayne had a verbal argument about sports cards." Prosecutors said Robin Turner told investigators that Adams later admitted to stabbing Dalewayne Turner multiple times after the argument and placing his body in a freezer.

Investigators executing a search warrant at the Plainfield home said they found a locked freezer in the basement covered by a blanket and topped with cinder blocks. According to court records, officers found Dalewayne Turner's head, neck and torso inside the freezer. Prosecutors also alleged investigators observed signs of recent remodeling, including freshly painted walls and stairs, a painted front door, replacement carpeting and removed wood paneling.

Court documents also detail text messages between Robin Turner and Adams discussing carpet cleaner, bleach, a dolly and moving heavy objects. Prosecutors highlighted one message from Robin Turner that said, "Be sure to fully delete everything."

Chrystal Mann, Dalewayne Turner's cousin, said the allegations have left the family devastated.

"Literally made me sick to my stomach," Mann said.

Mann said she spoke with Robin Turner shortly before her arrest.

"I was on the phone with her 10 minutes before she was arrested. And I said, 'Robin, what's going on? Why am I hearing all this crazy stuff? I'm hearing rumors going.' She says, 'well, he's still in treatment. And she said, Let me call you right back.' I never talked to her again," Mann said.

Mann described Turner as a devoted family member, and a Chicago sports fan who was always willing to help others.

"I remember Dalewayne always being there. If I needed help with anything around my yard, anything, he would be there to help," she said.

According to Mann, Turner and his wife took custody of Adams when he was 13 after Adams' father killed the boys' mother.

Mann said she has struggled with the realization that her cousin was gone while family members believed he was safe.

"My heart breaks because I never reached out to him. I feel bad because I go he telling lies that she told our family and we thought he was safe in a place where he should have been safe, but he wasn't even in his own home he wasn't safe," Mann said.

Mann said the family is now focused on planning Turner's funeral and seeking justice.

Robin Turner and James Adams are scheduled to return to court later this week.

A GoFundMe for the victim's funeral expenses and other costs can be found here.