A man killed a co-worker inside an industrial shop west of the Twin Cities with blows to her head with a sledgehammer, then confessed to the crime, according to a criminal complaint filed Wednesday.
David Bruce DeLong, 40, of Watkins, Minn., was charged in Wright County District Court with second-degree murder for the attack Tuesday in Cokato that killed 20-year-old Amber Mary Czech of Hutchinson, Minn., at Advanced Process Technologies, which makes equipment used in food processing.
DeLong was arrested and remains jailed in lieu of $2 million bail ahead of a court appearance on Nov. 24. Court records do not list an attorney for him.
An online fund-raising campaign started to cover funeral expenses noted that “Amber was a hardworking welder who took great pride in her craft and dreamed of building a bright future through her work. Her witty personality, positive attitude, and beautiful smile touched everyone who knew her.”
In a statement released Wednesday, Advanced Process Technologies said: “We are heartbroken by yesterday’s tragedy, and our thoughts are with the victim’s family and friends in this terrible moment. ... Production at the facility has been paused for the remainder of the week, and administrative staff are working remotely.”
According to the complaint:
Around 6 a.m., a caller to 911 said Czech was bleeding heavily from a blow to the head, and there was a bloody sledgehammer on the floor near her. Emergency medical responders arrived and tended to Czech before they declared her dead at the scene.
A sheriff’s deputy identified DeLong as the suspected attacker. DeLong said to a man at the business “something to the effect of, ‘I hit her with your hammer. She is by your toolbox. She is gone,’ ” the complaint read.
