St. Cloud man charged with killing wife ordered to undergo mental evaluation
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A St. Cloud man accused of fatally stabbing his wife, 22-year-old Hallie Tobler, will undergo a court-ordered evaluation of his mental competency.
Dylan Tobler, 23, faces one count of second-degree murder in connection with Hallie’s death.
During a virtual hearing Monday in Stearns County District Court, Tobler’s attorney, Matt Lindeman, said he’s concerned his client doesn’t understand the nature of the court proceedings and isn’t able to participate in his defense.
According to the criminal complaint, police responded to reports of a medical emergency at a St. Cloud apartment on Feb. 7. Officers found Hallie Tobler dead from multiple stab wounds, and Dylan Tobler with apparent self-inflicted injuries.
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Dylan Tobler reportedly told police he was alone in the residence with Hallie, and “he thought it was his fault” she was dead, the complaint states. When asked what would happen next, Tobler said, “Jail,” and tapped himself on the chest, the complaint states. He was treated at the hospital, then transferred to jail and charged.
On Feb. 10, a judge set Dylan Tobler’s unconditional bond at $3 million, or $1.5 million with conditions, including remaining law abiding, making future court appearances, avoiding alcohol and drugs and not leaving Minnesota without court approval. As of Monday, Tobler remained in the Stearns County jail.
Hallie Tobler was the daughter of Republican candidate for governor Jeff Johnson, a former St. Cloud City Council member. Johnson suspended his campaign immediately after her death.
In a post on Feb. 12 on Julie Johnson’s Facebook page, the family wrote that they 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,” it stated. “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.”
In January, Dylan Tobler pleaded guilty to a petty misdemeanor of disorderly conduct stemming from a June 2025 incident, in which he allegedly choked Hallie Tobler. Court documents show she told police that he had psychosis and a history of aggressive behavior, and that he had made vague suicide threats.
In a social media post, Anna Marie’s Alliance, a St. Cloud domestic violence shelter, said the tragedy will have long-lasting effects on Hallie Tobler’s friends and family, as well as the larger community.
“While we may never fully know the details, we do know that mental illness and relationship abuse are two separate issues that can sometimes overlap,” it stated.
Hallie Tobler worked for the city of St. Cloud as an information technology technician, according to her obituary. She was attending Arizona State University online, and she would have graduated in 2028 with a bachelor of science degree in IT cybersecurity.
After her death, the family created the Hallie Marie Women in IT Scholarship Fund in her memory, to provide an opportunity for women interested in IT careers to gain knowledge and skills.
A 24-hour statewide domestic violence and sexual violence hotline is available in Minnesota. You can call Minnesota Day One at 866-223-1111 or text 612-399-9995 to connect to resources closest to where you live.
