Topline: Authorities say 40-year-old David Bruce Delong confessed to striking 20-year-old Amber Czech multiple times with a sledgehammer at their Cokato workplace.
Published: November 13, 2025 12:00 pm ET
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David Bruce Delong (via Wright County Jail)
COKATO, MN — Authorities say a Wright County man confessed to killing his coworker at a Cokato factory because he “didn’t like her” and had been planning the attack for some time.
Authorities say 40-year-old David Bruce Delong of Watkins is accused of fatally attacking his co-worker, 20-year-old Amber Czech of Hutchinson, at Advanced Process Technologies (APT) early Tuesday morning, Nov. 11, according to North Wright County Today.
The Wright County Sheriff’s Office reports that deputies were called to the facility around 6 a.m. after an employee found Czech at her workstation suffering from catastrophic head injuries. Despite lifesaving efforts by deputies and paramedics, she was pronounced dead at the scene, according to KARE 11.
Investigators say a bloody sledgehammer was discovered near Czech’s body. Surveillance footage reviewed by detectives shows Delong leaving his own workstation and walking toward Czech’s. According to court documents cited by KSTP, he is seen picking up a sledgehammer and striking her in the head, then hitting her several more times as she fell to the floor.
According to the criminal complaint filed Wednesday in Wright County Court, Delong later admitted to the killing. A witness told deputies that Delong had approached him shortly after the attack and said something to the effect of, “I hit her with your hammer. She is by your toolbox. She is gone,” North Wright County Today reported. After being advised of his rights, Delong allegedly told investigators that he didn’t like Czech and had “been planning to kill her for some time.”
Wright County Attorney Brian Lutes confirmed Wednesday that Delong has been charged with second-degree murder and appeared in court that morning. Lutes said he intends to “evaluate the case” for a possible first-degree premeditated murder charge, which would require convening a grand jury, according to both KARE 11 and North Wright County Today.
Czech’s family, friends, and former instructors are mourning the loss of a young woman described as hardworking, kind, and passionate about her trade. Her father told KARE 11’s Jessica Hart that Amber was outgoing, loved helping others, and had discovered welding while still in high school. She recently graduated from Alexandria Technical & Community College’s welding technology program in spring 2024. In a statement, the college said Czech “exemplified the qualities we strive to instill in all our students—hard work, determination, and professionalism.”
Advanced Process Technologies, which manufactures equipment for dairy farms across Minnesota, said in a statement to KARE 11 that it was “heartbroken by yesterday’s tragedy” and that production at the facility has been paused for the rest of the week. “Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and friends in this terrible moment,” the company said, adding that it is providing support to employees and cooperating fully with law enforcement.
Delong remains in custody. He is scheduled to make his next court appearance on Nov. 24 at 9 a.m., according to KARE 11.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Prosecutors: Minnesota Man Bludgeoned Coworker to Death Because He ‘Didn’t Like Her’
Authorities say 40-year-old David Bruce Delong confessed to striking 20-year-old Amber Czech multiple times with a sledgehammer at their Cokato workplace.
By Jacob Charles
Published: November 13, 2025 12:00 pm ET
David Bruce Delong (via Wright County Jail)
COKATO, MN — Authorities say a Wright County man confessed to killing his coworker at a Cokato factory because he “didn’t like her” and had been planning the attack for some time.
Authorities say 40-year-old David Bruce Delong of Watkins is accused of fatally attacking his co-worker, 20-year-old Amber Czech of Hutchinson, at Advanced Process Technologies (APT) early Tuesday morning, Nov. 11, according to North Wright County Today.
The Wright County Sheriff’s Office reports that deputies were called to the facility around 6 a.m. after an employee found Czech at her workstation suffering from catastrophic head injuries. Despite lifesaving efforts by deputies and paramedics, she was pronounced dead at the scene, according to KARE 11.
Investigators say a bloody sledgehammer was discovered near Czech’s body. Surveillance footage reviewed by detectives shows Delong leaving his own workstation and walking toward Czech’s. According to court documents cited by KSTP, he is seen picking up a sledgehammer and striking her in the head, then hitting her several more times as she fell to the floor.
According to the criminal complaint filed Wednesday in Wright County Court, Delong later admitted to the killing. A witness told deputies that Delong had approached him shortly after the attack and said something to the effect of, “I hit her with your hammer. She is by your toolbox. She is gone,” North Wright County Today reported. After being advised of his rights, Delong allegedly told investigators that he didn’t like Czech and had “been planning to kill her for some time.”
Wright County Attorney Brian Lutes confirmed Wednesday that Delong has been charged with second-degree murder and appeared in court that morning. Lutes said he intends to “evaluate the case” for a possible first-degree premeditated murder charge, which would require convening a grand jury, according to both KARE 11 and North Wright County Today.
Czech’s family, friends, and former instructors are mourning the loss of a young woman described as hardworking, kind, and passionate about her trade. Her father told KARE 11’s Jessica Hart that Amber was outgoing, loved helping others, and had discovered welding while still in high school. She recently graduated from Alexandria Technical & Community College’s welding technology program in spring 2024. In a statement, the college said Czech “exemplified the qualities we strive to instill in all our students—hard work, determination, and professionalism.”
Advanced Process Technologies, which manufactures equipment for dairy farms across Minnesota, said in a statement to KARE 11 that it was “heartbroken by yesterday’s tragedy” and that production at the facility has been paused for the rest of the week. “Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and friends in this terrible moment,” the company said, adding that it is providing support to employees and cooperating fully with law enforcement.
Delong remains in custody. He is scheduled to make his next court appearance on Nov. 24 at 9 a.m., according to KARE 11.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Prosecutors: Minnesota Man Bludgeoned Coworker to Death Because He ‘Didn’t Like Her’
Authorities say 40-year-old David Bruce Delong confessed to striking 20-year-old Amber Czech multiple times with a sledgehammer at their Cokato workplace.
By Jacob Charles
Published: November 13, 2025 12:00 pm ET
David Bruce Delong (via Wright County Jail)
COKATO, MN — Authorities say a Wright County man confessed to killing his coworker at a Cokato factory because he “didn’t like her” and had been planning the attack for some time.
Authorities say 40-year-old David Bruce Delong of Watkins is accused of fatally attacking his co-worker, 20-year-old Amber Czech of Hutchinson, at Advanced Process Technologies (APT) early Tuesday morning, Nov. 11, according to North Wright County Today.
The Wright County Sheriff’s Office reports that deputies were called to the facility around 6 a.m. after an employee found Czech at her workstation suffering from catastrophic head injuries. Despite lifesaving efforts by deputies and paramedics, she was pronounced dead at the scene, according to KARE 11.
Investigators say a bloody sledgehammer was discovered near Czech’s body. Surveillance footage reviewed by detectives shows Delong leaving his own workstation and walking toward Czech’s. According to court documents cited by KSTP, he is seen picking up a sledgehammer and striking her in the head, then hitting her several more times as she fell to the floor.
According to the criminal complaint filed Wednesday in Wright County Court, Delong later admitted to the killing. A witness told deputies that Delong had approached him shortly after the attack and said something to the effect of, “I hit her with your hammer. She is by your toolbox. She is gone,” North Wright County Today reported. After being advised of his rights, Delong allegedly told investigators that he didn’t like Czech and had “been planning to kill her for some time.”
Wright County Attorney Brian Lutes confirmed Wednesday that Delong has been charged with second-degree murder and appeared in court that morning. Lutes said he intends to “evaluate the case” for a possible first-degree premeditated murder charge, which would require convening a grand jury, according to both KARE 11 and North Wright County Today.
Czech’s family, friends, and former instructors are mourning the loss of a young woman described as hardworking, kind, and passionate about her trade. Her father told KARE 11’s Jessica Hart that Amber was outgoing, loved helping others, and had discovered welding while still in high school. She recently graduated from Alexandria Technical & Community College’s welding technology program in spring 2024. In a statement, the college said Czech “exemplified the qualities we strive to instill in all our students—hard work, determination, and professionalism.”
Advanced Process Technologies, which manufactures equipment for dairy farms across Minnesota, said in a statement to KARE 11 that it was “heartbroken by yesterday’s tragedy” and that production at the facility has been paused for the rest of the week. “Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and friends in this terrible moment,” the company said, adding that it is providing support to employees and cooperating fully with law enforcement.
Delong remains in custody. He is scheduled to make his next court appearance on Nov. 24 at 9 a.m., according to KARE 11.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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