Relatives of Dalewayne Turner share statement ahead of accused wife's hearing

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — Relatives of a Plainfield man whose remains were found in Lake Mattoon in June accused his wife of being the "mastermind" behind his death.

Illinois State Police arrested Robin Turner and James Adams on July 1, days after boaters discovered part of Dalewayne Turner's severed arm floating in Lake Mattoon. Robin Turner and Adams were charged with dismembering Dalewayne and concealing his death before dumping his remains in the lake.

Robin Turner, 62, is due back in court Friday morning in Will County for a detention hearing.

In a statement provided to WAND News ahead of the hearing, Dalewayne Turner's family thanked community members for their support as the investigation into their relative's death continues.

The family also said they believed Dalewayne was murdered and that his wife Robin persuaded Adams, who is Dalewayne's half-brother, into taking responsibility for the crime.

WAND News has reached out to the attorney representing Robin Turner for comment.

Will County prosecutors said in court documents that Adams stabbed Dalewayne Turner to death and later claimed it was self-defense after a fight.

Prosecutors said Turner’s body was hidden in the basement of Adams' home before being dismembered.

Prosecutors also alleged Adams and Robin Turner attempted to cover up the killing by using bleach, repainting parts of the home, removing wood paneling and carpeting and burning those materials in a fire pit. Prosecutors said Robin Turner also searched online for information about covering up a homicide.

Court documents said Adams and Robin Turner admitted to dismembering the body in conversations with Steven Turner, who is Dalewayne's brother.

Adams is due back in court for his detention hearing on July 29.

The following is the full statement sent to WAND News by Dalewayne Turner's family:

"I would like to start by saying thank you for all the phone calls text and out poor of love and support most of you have shown. My family has experienced more than their share of heartache and we are just trying to navigate our way through this nightmare.
First, I want to tell everyone there’s not a lot that we as the family can or will say at this point due to the ongoing investigation. However, we will say this. Dalewayne was murdered [and] we as the family believe Robin is the mastermind behind this horrific crime. She has been manipulating James since he was a young boy. James is very easily persuaded & lived in fear of retaliation for sometime.
Robin has not only lied to James but has lied to our entire family for sometime. We were never told Dale left Florida. Dalewayne was in treatment he had successfully completed his treatment and had moved into his own place, was working and doing good. We were told they were legally separated and that she was filling for divorce. She showed up at Dale's in Florida sometime in October to find out to her surprise he was doing good and even found himself a girlfriend.
She was furious [and] she threatened the girlfriend ran her off and fought with him. She tried to turn his life upside down yet again. Once she knew he was moving on she couldn’t handle it. If she couldn’t have him no one would. Now he’s dead and she 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.
So this [family's] suffering continues. We are praying for justice and want to peacefully lay our brother to rest. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers."