A Young Welder’s Life Cut Short
On the morning of November 11, 2025, twenty-year-old welder Amber Mary Czech showed up at Advanced Process Technologies in Cokato, Minnesota, ready to start another day in the trade she loved. She had been working there for just over a year, welding stainless steel equipment and proving herself in a field where women are still outnumbered.
But just after 6 a.m., Amber was attacked at her welding station by a coworker wielding a sledgehammer. The assault was sudden, brutal, and completely unprovoked. Despite desperate efforts from coworkers and first responders, Amber died at the scene. What should have been an ordinary workday turned into a devastating tragedy that shattered her family, shook her community, and sparked a nationwide reckoning about the safety of women in the trades.
The man accused of killing her, 40-year-old David Bruce DeLong, was arrested at the plant moments after the attack. Investigators say he later admitted he intended to kill her—offering no meaningful explanation beyond saying he “didn’t like her.”
Amber’s death was senseless. And the more people learn about who she was, the harder this loss feels.
Who Amber Was Beyond the Headlines
Before she became a national story, Amber was a daughter, a sister, a teammate, a young woman with big plans, and someone who gave more to her community than most people her age ever do.
Born on July 11, 2005, Amber grew up in Hutchinson, Minnesota, surrounded by family who adored her. She played basketball through high school, known for her hard work, calm confidence, and her love of sinking three-pointers. Even then, she had the kind of discipline and determination people remembered.
Welding became her passion. She graduated from Alexandria Technical & Community College with honors in 2024 and stepped into a male-dominated field with pride. She loved the precision, the challenge, and the satisfaction of building something real with her own hands. On her days off, she returned to Hutchinson High School to mentor younger students in the welding shop. She didn’t just show up for people—she showed up with purpose.
Amber loved the outdoors, fishing, summer at the lake, Milwaukee tools, country drives, chocolate milk, and making people laugh. She was close with her siblings, fiercely loyal to her friends, and deeply connected to her faith.
She was only twenty. Her life should have been just beginning.
What We Know About the Crime
According to investigators, security footage captured the attack. DeLong allegedly walked away from his own workstation, picked up a sledgehammer, and went straight to Amber’s welding station. He struck her in the head repeatedly. There was no argument, no interaction, no warning signs in that moment on camera—just sudden and overwhelming violence.
Co-workers immediately called 911. Deputies and paramedics arrived quickly, but her injuries were unsurvivable.
DeLong was taken into custody without resistance. In interviews with authorities, he reportedly said he intended to kill Amber and had been thinking about it. At one point, he said it was because she gave him a “bad look.” He has been charged with second-degree intentional murder, and prosecutors have indicated that they are evaluating the case for possible first-degree premeditated murder through a grand jury.
A judge later ordered a mental health evaluation before the case proceeds.
What happened in that factory shook the entire state, especially women in the trades who came forward with stories of harassment, threats, and intimidation on job sites. Amber’s death became a rallying point—a painful symbol of a problem that has been ignored for too long.
The Questions That Still Haunt This Case
Even with the arrest and detailed criminal complaint, there are serious gaps in understanding:
Why Amber?
The explanations the suspect gave were vague and disturbing, but they don’t answer why she was singled out or whether there was behavior others noticed but didn’t report.
Were there warning signs?
No public reports have confirmed whether the suspect displayed concerning behavior prior to the attack, or if any coworkers ever raised safety concerns.
Could this have been prevented?
The attack has prompted painful conversations among women in construction and manufacturing, many of whom say threats, hostility, and unsafe conditions are regularly minimized.
Will charges be increased?
Because the complaint describes what appears to be a planned killing, prosecutors are reviewing whether the case meets the threshold for first-degree premeditated murder.
How will this change workplace safety policy?
Unions, advocates, and tradeswomen are demanding new safeguards, better reporting systems, and stronger accountability. Whether those changes actually materialize remains to be seen.
These questions are not abstract—they are now part of Amber’s legacy, forcing an industry and a justice system to confront issues long overdue for attention.
People Connected to This Case
Amber Mary Czech
A young welder with exceptional talent, a bright future, and a heart for helping others. She was a daughter, sister, granddaughter, friend, teammate, coworker, and mentor. Her loss is deeply felt across her community and the trades.
Amber’s Family
Her parents, Angela and Peter, and her siblings, Zoey and Caleb, have been surrounded by overwhelming community support. Local fundraisers, vigils, and memorial efforts were organized within days of her death.
David Bruce DeLong
Amber’s coworker and the man accused of killing her. At the time of the attack, he was also employed at Advanced Process Technologies. He is currently charged with second-degree murder and remains in custody while evaluations and legal proceedings continue.
Advanced Process Technologies (APT)
The company where the killing occurred. Production was shut down temporarily following the attack. The company has publicly stated that it is assisting the investigation and offering support to employees.
Investigators & Prosecutors
The Wright County Sheriff’s Office and the Wright County Attorney’s Office are leading the investigation and prosecution. Their statements and filings form the backbone of what is publicly known so far.
Tradeswomen & Advocacy Groups
Women across the country—especially those in construction and welding—have spoken out after Amber’s death. Many organized fundraisers, wore blue to work in her honor, and called for sweeping changes in workplace safety and reporting mechanisms.