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“Raising the Dead”: Dateline Reports on Tanna Togstad & Timothy Mumbrue Homicides November 21 2025

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NBC’s Dateline episode “Raising the Dead,” airing Friday, November 21 at 9 p.m. ET, takes viewers back to a brutal double homicide that haunted Waupaca County, Wisconsin, for more than 30 years. Reported by Keith Morrison, the broadcast revisits the 1992 murders of 23-year-old Tanna Togstad and 35-year-old Timothy Mumbrue, a case that went cold despite persistent efforts by local law enforcement. It wasn’t until a new lead emerged in 2022 that investigators reignited the case—only for a jury to later deliver a verdict that shocked the community.

The 1992 Double Homicide

On March 22, 1992, the bodies of Tanna Togstad and her boyfriend, Timothy Mumbrue, were discovered inside a farmhouse in rural Weyauwega, Wisconsin. Tanna’s dog, Scruffy, was also found dead. The crime scene was gruesome. Mumbrue had sustained nearly 27 stab wounds, including one that pierced his skull. Tanna had a single stab wound to the chest and had been sexually assaulted. Scruffy had been stabbed repeatedly as well.

The horror of the murders rocked the quiet central Wisconsin town. Despite numerous interviews, DNA collection, and following up on tips, investigators made no arrests. The case remained open for decades, with law enforcement refusing to call it “cold,” instead continuing to assign personnel to the case, hoping for a breakthrough.

A Break in the Case

In 2022, after 30 years of frustration, a tip from the daughter of a former suspect renewed momentum. Investigators staged a traffic stop to collect a DNA sample from Tony Haase, a longtime Weyauwega resident with no prior criminal history. The DNA retrieved from the pen he used during the stop reportedly matched DNA found on Tanna’s body in 1992.

Authorities brought Haase in for questioning. During a lengthy interrogation, Haase made what appeared to be a confession, claiming to have “snippets” of memories from that night. He told investigators he was drinking alone on March 20, 1992, and, while in a drunken state, thought about his father’s death years earlier. Haase’s father had died in a snowmobile crash involving Tanna’s father. Investigators believed Haase may have blamed Tanna’s family for the accident and sought revenge.

The Trial of Tony Haase

Tony Haase was arrested in 2022 and charged with two counts of first-degree intentional homicide. His trial began in July 2025 in Waupaca County Court and lasted nearly a month. Prosecutors presented DNA evidence, a bloody palm print, and Haase’s recorded interrogation as key pieces tying him to the crime.

The state’s case hinged heavily on DNA linking Haase to the scene and his admissions under interrogation. Prosecutors argued that the odds of another person matching the DNA profile were one in 281 quintillion. They described a violent attack that showed deliberate intent and personal rage, pointing to Haase’s supposed emotional connection to the death of his father.

But the defense painted a different picture. They argued the DNA evidence was compromised due to mishandling and degradation from earlier testing. They also claimed the confession was coerced, citing Haase’s vulnerable state and manipulation by investigators. Furthermore, they named another potential suspect—Haase’s now-deceased uncle, who had a violent past and lived near the crime scene.

Jury’s Verdict and Public Reaction

On August 11, 2025, after more than three days of deliberations, the jury returned a verdict of not guilty. The decision stunned many, particularly the victims’ families, who had waited over three decades for justice. Richard Togstad, Tanna’s brother, expressed disbelief and sorrow, stating the outcome left the family devastated.

Defense attorneys celebrated the verdict, describing Haase as a kind, quiet man who had been wrongly accused. They maintained that the prosecution’s evidence was flawed and that jurors did their duty by holding the state to its burden of proof. Prosecutor Kat Turner acknowledged the limitations imposed by the court, including restrictions on key evidence, and said those limitations likely contributed to the jury’s doubt.

Civil Lawsuit Filed After Acquittal

Just days after the verdict, the Togstad family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Haase, seeking $17 million in compensatory and punitive damages. The suit claims that Tanna suffered extreme pain before her death and that her family has endured decades of anguish without resolution.

The lawsuit, filed on behalf of Tanna’s estate and her late mother, Helen Hoffman, argues that Haase was responsible for the deaths, regardless of the criminal acquittal. The case draws comparisons to the O.J. Simpson civil trial, where a lower burden of proof led to a finding of liability even after a criminal acquittal.

Attorneys for the Togstad family emphasized the difference between the standards of proof in civil versus criminal court. While Haase was not found guilty “beyond a reasonable doubt,” the civil suit aims to prove responsibility based on a “preponderance of the evidence.”

Lingering Questions and the Search for Closure

For many, the acquittal of Tony Haase did not bring closure. The community remains divided, with some believing an innocent man was accused, while others are convinced that justice was denied. The prosecution’s inability to present certain DNA evidence and the passage of time complicated their case, leaving key questions unanswered.

The wrongful death suit may provide another avenue for accountability, though it cannot undo the emotional toll or bring back the lives lost. Whether a civil court will find Haase responsible remains to be seen, but the pursuit for justice continues in a different forum.

Revisiting the Case on Dateline

Keith Morrison’s reporting on Dateline NBC’s “Raising the Dead” provides exclusive access to family members, investigators, and courtroom developments. Through interviews and archival footage, the episode presents a comprehensive look at a case marked by tragedy, perseverance, and controversy. It captures the pain of loss, the burden of time, and the complicated search for truth in a justice system not always equipped to handle decades-old crimes.

With new developments still unfolding, this story—once thought buried—has reentered the public eye, demanding answers that remain elusive even after a verdict. The episode serves as both a case study in cold case investigations and a poignant reminder of the long shadows cast by unresolved violence.

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Ryan Gill

Ryan is a passionate follower of true crime television programs, reporting on and providing in-depth investigations on mysteries in the criminal world.

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1 Response

  1. Avatar photo Bill Ballas says:
    November 22, 2025 at 1:25 pm

    I’m watching Dateline now, 11/21. The police person being interviewed is creepy. Smiling when replying to questions, like he is enjoying.

    Reply

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