Dylan Tobler charged with murder in St. Cloud stabbing of Jeff Johnson’s daughter
Dylan Michael Tobler, 23, has been charged with second-degree murder in the Feb. 7 stabbing death of the daughter of former Minnesota gubernatorial candidate Dr. Jeff Johnson in St. Cloud. A witness who went to the home after not hearing from the victim since Feb. 3 found the victim’s body in a bathroom with multiple knives (one with dried blood) and Tobler — who told police he had been alone with the victim, said he thought it was his fault she was dead and tapped his chest saying “jail” — and the medical examiner preliminarily reported multiple stab wounds to the chest, upper back, head and neck and ruled the manner of death a homicide; the Minnesota GOP said Johnson has suspended his 2026 campaign to focus on his family.
📌 Key Facts
- Police identified the suspect as 23-year-old Dylan Michael Tobler of St. Cloud; he was formally charged with second-degree murder in the Feb. 7 stabbing of Jeff Johnson’s daughter.
- The victim’s body was found in a bathroom at the St. Cloud residence; multiple knives were present at the scene, including one with dried blood on the blade.
- The medical examiner’s preliminary findings listed multiple stab wounds to the chest, upper back, head and neck, and ruled the manner of death a homicide.
- A witness went to the home after not hearing from the victim since Feb. 3 and found Tobler at the residence along with evidence of a suicide attempt.
- Tobler told police he had been alone with the victim, said he thought it was his fault she was dead, and tapped his chest while saying that 'jail' was next.
- The Minnesota Republican Party announced Dr. Jeff Johnson has suspended his 2026 governor campaign to focus on his family.
📊 Relevant Data
Dylan Michael Tobler was the husband of the victim, Hallie Marie Tobler.
Minn. Governor Candidate's Daughter, 22, Found Stabbed to Death in Alleged Murder-Suicide Attempt — People
In June 2025, Dylan Tobler allegedly choked Hallie Tobler during an incident involving psychosis and aggressive behavior, leading to a guilty plea for disorderly conduct.
Slain daughter of GOP Minnesota gov candidate was allegedly attacked by husband months before deadly stabbing, records show — New York Post
In 2025, at least 31 Minnesotans died from intimate partner violence, with nearly a quarter of the victims being Black women, while Black individuals comprise about 7% of Minnesota's population.
At least 31 Minnesotans died of intimate partner violence last year, according to new report — MPR News
In 2023, Black females in the US were killed by males at a rate of 3.1 per 100,000, compared to 1.2 per 100,000 for White females, comprising 31.4% of such victims while being 14% of the female population.
When Men Murder Women: An Analysis of 2023 Homicide Data — Violence Policy Center
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Identifies the suspect as 23-year-old Dylan Michael Tobler of St. Cloud.
- Confirms Tobler is formally charged with second-degree murder in the Feb. 7 stabbing.
- Details that a witness went to the home after not hearing from the victim since Feb. 3, ultimately finding Tobler and evidence of a suicide attempt.
- Describes the crime scene: victim’s body in the bathroom, multiple knives present, one with dried blood on the blade.
- Reports the medical examiner’s preliminary finding of multiple stab wounds to chest, upper back, head and neck, with manner of death listed as homicide.
- Quotes Tobler’s admissions to police that he was alone with the victim, thought it was his fault she was dead, and that 'jail' was next as he tapped his chest.
- Notes the Minnesota Republican Party announcement that Dr. Jeff Johnson has suspended his 2026 governor campaign to focus on his family.