SPEAKING OUT: Minnesota candidate for gov. releases statement following daughter’s murder
Hallie Marie Tobler, 22, was found dead with multiple stab wounds inside her locked apartment in St. Cloud, Minnesota, on Saturday night.
Her husband, Dylan Tobler, 23, was also found in the home suffering from critical self-inflicted stab wounds in what authorities described as a botched murder-suicide. Dylan Tobler was taken into custody and charged with second-degree murder. Court records show that seven months earlier, in June 2025, he was arrested for allegedly choking Hallie while experiencing delusions. He was later convicted of disorderly conduct, a petty misdemeanor, and ordered to pay a $150 fine on January 28.
Jeff Johnson, Hallie’s father and a former Republican candidate for Minnesota governor who launched his bid in March 2025, suspended his campaign following the killing.
Johnson, also a former St. Cloud city councilman, issued a statement with the family: “We are heartbroken beyond words by the tragic and senseless loss of our beloved daughter, Hallie Marie. Hallie was a bright light in our lives and in the lives of so many others. She was kind, compassionate, and full of promise. The pain of losing her in this way is something no family should ever have to endure, and we are still struggling to comprehend this unimaginable reality.”
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The family thanked supporters for the outpouring of love and praised the St. Cloud Police Department as the investigation continues. They emphasized the need for mental health support, urging anyone struggling to seek professional help.
The statement added: “Right now, our focus is honoring Hallie’s memory and supporting all those whose lives she touched during this devastating loss. We ask that everyone keep our daughter in their thoughts and remember her for the beautiful person she was.”
Dylan Tobler remains in custody.