Dateline NBC – “Raising the Dead” (Nov 25, 2025)

Host: NBC News | Reporter: Keith Morrison

Overview:

“Raising the Dead” explores the brutal 1992 double homicide of Tana Togstad and Tim Mumbrou in rural Wisconsin—a crime that haunted the community for over three decades. The episode traces the twists, dead-ends, and breakthroughs of the investigation, culminating in a modern-day trial and a controversial verdict. Through interviews, archival tape, and modern forensic insights, Dateline unpacks how hard-won clues and unimaginable loss collided, forcing a small town to confront the possibility that justice might never come.

Key Discussion Points & Timeline

The Murders and Initial Investigation

• Incident:
  • On March 21, 1992, Tana and Tim were found stabbed to death in Tana’s farmhouse in Wyawega, WI, both from local farming families.
  • Tana had just turned 23, Tim was 34; both were described as fun-loving and exuberant.
  • Crime scene described as horrific: Tim stabbed 27 times; Tana sexually assaulted and killed with a single stab to the heart. Even Tana's small dog, Scruffy, was killed.
    Quote:

    “That was probably the worst scene I've ever seen in my entire career. 41 years.” (Det. Al Krager, 16:31)

• Early Clues:
  • Prior strange incidents: Tim’s truck was blown up two months before, anonymous threatening letters, and a bathroom wall threat at Tim's work.
    Quote:

    “A message scrawled... ‘Tim Mumbu must die on Friday.’ And Friday was the day it happened.” (41:55)

  • No sign of robbery, no clear motive, but multiple possible suspects considered.

Suspects and Dead Ends

• Scooter (Tana's Ex):
  • Known for temper and knife obsession; suspected strongly but cleared by early DNA blood-typing.
• Colleen (Tim's Not-quite Ex-Wife):
  • Penned threatening letters; divorce was bitter with possible life insurance motive, but physically incapable of crime; ruled out.
• Jeff Thiel (Neighborhood Violent Offender):
  • Had criminal record and lived close by; also cleared by DNA in 1996.
• Glendon Gauker:
  • Later convicted of murder in Oklahoma; pointed finger at his old boss, Lane Shields, and claimed to be only the getaway driver when pressed, then failed a polygraph and changed stories. No corroborating evidence and ruled out.

Impact on Community

• The murders shattered the community’s sense of safety, led to decades of fear and suspicion.
• Quote:

  “As long as the case went unsolved, that fear lingered.” (1:07:43)

• Families were fixated on justice but found little comfort.
  Quote:

  “We prayed a lot that somebody would come forth… I won’t stop. I will not stop.” (1:25:06)

Genetic Genealogy and the Break (April 2022)

• Innovative Technique:
  • Familial DNA finally applied: a woman named Heather contacts investigators, convinced her long-dead father, Jeff Thiel, was the killer. She provides a DNA profile and genealogical access.
  • Shocking twist: the familial link is close, but the DNA points to Heather’s cousin, not her father. Quote:

    “She turned on her profile, and it was like the Christmas tree lit up … But here came the twist, and it was a big one.” (1:47:09)

• New Suspect Emerges:
  • Tony Hayes, Heather’s cousin and Jeff Thiel’s nephew; unknown to investigators until then, lived under two miles from the crime, worked at the same foundry as the victims, and had no criminal record.

Surveillance, Confrontation, and DNA Confirmation (Summer 2022)

• Gathering Evidence:
  • Investigators struggled for DNA; finally trick Tony into touching a pen during a “traffic stop.”
  • Lab results confirm a match to semen found at the crime scene. Quote:

    “It was a match. Wow. What was that moment like? It was unbelievable. I've never felt so joyous in my life.” (1:52:39)

• Interrogation:
  • Tony at first denies everything, but confronted with DNA evidence, recalls “clicks and blurbs”—memories from the night of the crime. Quote/Tony:

    “It's gonna sound stupid, but I never knew I did it.” (2:01:30) “Over the years… I’d see a little click here and there… but... I don't believe that I would do that.” (2:02:01)

  • Brings up a possible motive: his father’s death in a snowmobile accident involving Tana’s father—a fact he claims to have fixated on the night of the killings.

The Trial (July–August 2025)

Prosecution’s Case

• Evidence:
  • Tony’s DNA in the semen, his bloody palm print at the scene, partial admission during interrogation, with a 1 in 234 quintillion chance of misidentification (DNA Analyst, 2:18:05).
• Memorable Moment:
  • Prosecutors play Tony’s long interview in court.
    Quote:

    “I remember getting into the scuffle… And then I was, you know, fighting with Tim. And then you go back to her. I must have.” (2:20:51)

• Family’s Belief:
  • Both sides’ families remain steadfast: Tony’s family in innocence, Tana and Tim’s in his guilt.
    Notable Family Quote:

    “In my heart, I know he did not do this. There is no possible way he could have ever done something like that.” (Tracy Hayes, 2:22:35)

Defense’s Counter

• Asserts false confession under pressure (Reid technique), questionable forensics due to degraded and contaminated evidence, presents Tony as a non-violent “gentle giant.”
• Argues alternative suspects (notably, Jeff Thiel) remained viable, introduces expert on false confessions. Quote:

  “When they lie and manipulate to get someone to make a statement, that is not discovering the truth, that's planting it.” (Defense Attorney, 2:27:16–2:28:32)

• Jeff Thiel’s Shadow:
  • Despite exhumed DNA excluding Jeff, the jury is not allowed to hear this due to legal arguments about timing of evidence disclosure.

Verdict and Aftermath (August 11, 2025)

• After four days of jury deliberation: Not Guilty.
  • Jury split evenly at first, then finds reasonable doubt due to issues of DNA reliability, alternative suspects, and concerns about Tony’s confession.
• Emotional Reactions:
  • Tony’s family rejoices.

    “I cried tears of joy. They got it right. Thank God, the jury.” (Tony's friend, Liz, 2:42:44)

  • Tana and Tim’s families are devastated and angry.

    “Those people on that jury let out a man that butchered two people… It’s a hard pill to swallow.” (Tana’s family, 2:44:12)

  • The case is still officially unsolved.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• “That was probably the worst scene I've ever seen in my entire career. 41 years.”
  – Det. Al Krager, on entering the crime scene ([16:31])
• “We prayed a lot that somebody would come forth… I won’t stop. I will not stop.”
  – Rick Togstad, Tana’s brother ([1:25:06])
• “She turned on her profile, and it was like the Christmas tree lit up.”
  – Captain Trager, on the pivotal DNA and genealogy moment ([1:47:09])
• “It's gonna sound stupid, but I never knew I did it.”
  – Tony Hayes, during interrogation ([2:01:30])
• “I cried tears of joy. They got it right. Thank God, the jury.”
  – Friend Liz, after ‘Not Guilty’ verdict ([2:42:44])
• “Those people on that jury let out a man that butchered two people... It's a hard pill to swallow.”
  – Rick Togstad ([2:44:12])

Major Themes & Tone

• Persistence in Seeking Justice: The episode highlights both dogged police work and the relentless hope of the victims’ families.
• Limitations of Forensic Evidence Over Time: DNA and fingerprint evidence is questioned due to decades of storage, repeated testing, and collection issues.
• Memory and Trauma: The trauma of the families is palpable; the “clicks and blurbs” in Tony's recollections raise questions about memory, responsibility, and the reliability of confessions.
• Community Impact: The crime’s shadow lingers over families and investigators alike, with bitterness and uncertainty prevailing after the verdict.

Key Timestamps for Reference

• Murders & Discovery: [04:00–20:00]
• Suspects & Investigation Pitfalls: [20:00–1:10:00]
• Breakthrough via Genetic Genealogy: [1:40:00–1:58:00]
• Tony Hayes Identified & Interrogated: [1:58:00–2:04:00]
• The Trial: [2:15:00–2:37:00]
• Verdict & Aftermath: [2:39:00–2:47:00]
• Reflections & Closing: [2:47:00–End]

Summary

“Raising the Dead” is a gripping chronicle of rural tragedy and forensic perseverance. The case, once thought unsolvable, is all but closed by a synthesis of dogged detective work and next-generation DNA science. But a jury’s doubts about forensic reliability and confession tactics lead to a shock acquittal, leaving wounds unhealed. The episode is a sobering reminder that truth and justice sometimes take different paths—and closure may always be elusive.