COKATO, Minnesota — The small town of Cokato is reeling after a shocking act of workplace violence claimed the life of 20-year-old Amber Czech, a young woman described as bright, hardworking, and full of promise. The tragedy unfolded early Tuesday morning, November 11, inside Advanced Process Technologies, a food and dairy processing plant located on Swendra Boulevard NE. The horrific incident has left residents heartbroken and searching for answers.
According to the Wright County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched around 6 a.m. following a 911 call reporting a woman with severe head trauma and heavy bleeding. When first responders arrived, they found Amber critically injured. Despite desperate efforts to save her, she was pronounced dead at the scene. What they discovered next painted a chilling picture of premeditated violence — surveillance footage showed 40-year-old David Delong, a coworker from Watkins, Minnesota, walking to Amber’s workstation, grabbing a sledgehammer, and striking her multiple times before calmly remaining at the scene.
Authorities arrested Delong without incident. According to court documents, he later confessed to the killing, telling investigators that he “did not like” Amber and had been planning her death for some time. He is currently charged with second-degree murder, a crime punishable by up to 40 years in prison. However, prosecutors have stated that the charge could be upgraded to first-degree murder as more evidence is reviewed in the ongoing investigation.
Amber’s loved ones are shattered by the loss of a young woman who had her entire life ahead of her. Her family described her as a devoted worker and talented welder, proud of her job and passionate about her craft. “Amber loved what she did and cared deeply for the people she worked with,” a family member said, urging for greater awareness of workplace violence. Her former coach, Dennis Piechowski of Hutchinson High School, where Amber graduated, remembered her as a determined athlete and gifted basketball player known for her signature three-point shot.
In a statement, Advanced Process Technologies expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy. “We are heartbroken by this terrible event, and our thoughts are with Amber’s family and friends. We are ensuring that our employees receive the emotional support they need and are cooperating fully with law enforcement.”
Production at the facility has been suspended for the remainder of the week as employees grieve and investigators continue their work. The senseless killing of Amber Czech has left an indelible mark on Cokato — a small town now united in grief, remembering a young woman whose light was extinguished far too soon.
