Judge Orders Mental Health Evaluation for St. Cloud Man Charged in Wife’s Stabbing Death

(KNSI) – A St. Cloud man charged with second-degree murder in the stabbing death of his wife appeared in Stearns County District Court Wednesday, where a judge ordered a mental health evaluation before the case proceeds.

Twenty-three-year-old Dylan Michael Tobler is accused of fatally stabbing his wife, 22-year-old Hallie Marie Tobler, inside their apartment on the 3100 block of 40th Avenue South sometime between February 3 and February 7, 2026. They had been married since 2021. His next court date is scheduled for April 24th.

Tobler has a documented history of mental illness, and the evaluation will help determine his competency to stand trial.

Police were first called to the scene on the evening of February 7th after a witness, who had not heard from Hallie since February 3rd, went to check on her. The witness knocked for approximately 15 minutes before the door was unlocked from the inside. Upon entering, the witness found Hallie deceased in the bathroom and Dylan Tobler in the living room, apparently suffering from self-inflicted stab wounds.

The Stearns County medical examiner determined Hallie Tobler had sustained multiple wounds to her chest, upper back, head, and neck consistent with a knife attack. Multiple knives were recovered from the bathroom, including one with dried blood on the blade. The manner of death was ruled a homicide.

Dylan Tobler was transported to CentraCare-St. Cloud Hospital for treatment of his injuries and was later booked into the Stearns County Jail.

According to the criminal complaint, Tobler made several statements to investigators after being read his Miranda rights. When asked what happened over the previous several days, he replied, “It’s a mess.” He acknowledged being alone in the residence with his wife, said he believed it was his fault she was dead, and indicated he caused his own injuries. When asked what would happen next, he said “jail” and tapped himself on the chest.

Hallie Tobler was the daughter of Jeff Johnson, a former St. Cloud City Council member who had recently announced a campaign for governor. Johnson suspended his campaign following his daughter’s death.

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