Jeff Johnson suspends governor bid after daughter Hallie Marie Tobler is killed in St. Cloud

Republican Minnesota gubernatorial candidate Jeff Johnson has suspended his 2026 campaign after his 22-year-old daughter, Hallie Marie Tobler, was found dead from multiple stab wounds inside a locked St. Cloud apartment on Saturday night, Feb. 7, 2026 (about 9:20 p.m. ET). Police say Tobler’s 23-year-old husband was also found inside the apartment with severe injuries that investigators believe were self-inflicted, and he is now in custody while charges are prepared.

The case has shaken central Minnesota and immediately altered the state’s Republican primary landscape, with party leaders and elected officials offering condolences as investigators continue to assemble the timeline and evidence.

What police say happened Saturday night

St. Cloud officers responded to a medical emergency at an apartment building on the 3100 block of 40th Avenue South on Feb. 7, arriving to find Hallie Marie Tobler deceased. Investigators later confirmed her injuries were consistent with multiple stab wounds.

Inside the same apartment, police found Tobler’s husband with life-threatening injuries that authorities described as consistent with self-inflicted wounds. He was taken for medical treatment and placed into custody. Police have said homicide-related charges are expected once he is medically cleared and the case file is finalized for prosecutors.

Investigation status and pending charges

As of Monday night, Feb. 9, 2026 (ET), authorities had not announced a formal charging document in public court records, but police have indicated charges are pending. Investigators are also working to clarify details such as the sequence of events before the emergency call, whether any prior incidents were documented, and the circumstances surrounding the locked apartment.

Police have not publicly released information suggesting additional suspects, and there has been no public indication of a broader threat to the community.

Jeff Johnson’s campaign decision

Johnson, a former St. Cloud City Council member who entered the Minnesota governor’s race in 2025, suspended his campaign following his daughter’s death. Party officials described the decision as a pause driven by family circumstances and grief.

Johnson’s withdrawal reshapes a Republican contest that had already been competitive, with multiple candidates seeking to consolidate support ahead of the primary. Campaign operations tied to Johnson’s run were expected to wind down immediately, though details about staff and endorsements have not been publicly outlined.

Who Hallie Marie Tobler was

Hallie Marie Tobler was 22 and lived in St. Cloud. In local reporting and statements circulating this week, she has been identified as Johnson’s daughter and as recently married. Beyond those basics, her family has not released extensive personal details publicly as of Feb. 10, 2026 (ET).

Community members in St. Cloud have held informal tributes and shared condolences, while officials have urged the public to give the family privacy as the investigation proceeds.

What to watch next

The next concrete developments are expected from the court process. In cases like this, public updates typically come in stages: filing of charges, initial appearance hearings, bail or detention decisions, and the release of probable-cause summaries that can clarify allegations and timelines.

Key takeaways

• Hallie Marie Tobler, 22, was found dead from multiple stab wounds in a St. Cloud apartment on Feb. 7, 2026 (ET).

• Police say her 23-year-old husband is in custody after being found injured at the scene; homicide charges are expected.

• Jeff Johnson has suspended his campaign for Minnesota governor following his daughter’s death.

Sources consulted: Minnesota Public Radio News, Star Tribune, CBS News, People Magazine