It should have been a time of joy. Lisa Techel, just 23 and 17 weeks pregnant, was preparing for a bright future with her high school sweetheart. Married less than a year, the couple appeared to have it all—love, stability, and a child on the way. But in the early hours of May 26, 2012, that dream died with the sound of a single shotgun blast.
Lisa was shot while sleeping in her bed. Her husband, Seth Techel, called 911 in a panic, blaming the crime on a mentally ill neighbor. At first, it sounded like a case of tragic, random violence. But the truth was far more disturbing.
Behind the Façade of a Perfect Marriage
Lisa and Seth had spent seven years together before marrying in October 2011. Both aspired to careers in law enforcement. Lisa worked as a jailer and reserve deputy, following her father’s path as a sheriff’s deputy. Seth volunteered as a firefighter and planned to work in corrections.
To outsiders, they looked like a classic small-town couple. But privately, cracks were forming.
A Convenient Suspect With a Flawed Story
When officers arrived at the crime scene, they found no forced entry or signs of struggle. Seth pointed them toward Brian Tate, a 57-year-old Vietnam veteran and neighbor who struggled with PTSD and schizophrenia.
Seth claimed Tate had threatened the couple weeks earlier during a dispute over trash. He described him as “off-his-rocker crazy” and insisted that only Tate could be responsible.
However, Tate had an airtight alibi. His mother and brother confirmed he had been asleep at home during the time of the murder. With no evidence linking him to the crime, detectives began to look elsewhere.
Affair, Ultimatum, and a Deadly Countdown
Just 12 hours after Lisa’s death, a friend revealed Seth’s affair with a woman named Rachel McFarland. Rachel, unaware Lisa was pregnant, believed Seth was planning to leave his wife.
Only days before the murder, Rachel had issued an ultimatum: end the marriage or end the affair.
Seth replied, “Just give me two weeks.”
Investigators found a hidden cell phone containing sexually explicit messages between Seth and Rachel. The tone of the texts suggested impatience and desperation. It became clear that Seth wasn’t just cheating—he was preparing to start over.
Then came the discovery that turned the investigation. A shotgun—matching the weapon that killed Lisa—was found hidden in the grass near the Techels’ trailer, not near Tate’s home. The gun belonged to a former roommate of Seth, who confirmed that Seth never reported it missing.
Three Trials, One Verdict
Despite mounting evidence, justice didn’t come easily. Seth Techel’s first trial in 2013 ended in a hung jury. His attorneys continued to blame Brian Tate—who died of heart failure before testifying.
A second trial also resulted in a deadlock, frustrating the community and prolonging the family’s pain.
But the third trial in 2014 changed everything. Prosecutors narrowed their focus, highlighting Seth’s affair, the damning text messages, and the hidden shotgun. This time, the jury saw through the lies.
On September 10, 2014, Seth was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Aftermath of Betrayal and Grief
The Lisa Techel murder case didn’t just shatter one family—it devastated an entire community. Many believe the stress of being falsely accused contributed to Brian Tate’s death. His sister later said, “He was a very loving person… mentally ill, yes, but not a killer.”
Lisa’s mother, Tracy Caldwell, said justice gave her little comfort. “I wonder what she would’ve been like as a mom,” she shared. “If only.”
The conviction brought legal closure, but emotional wounds remain. The betrayal by a husband, the pain of a stolen life, and the trauma inflicted on innocent bystanders continue to echo in rural Iowa.
FAQs
Who was Lisa Techel?
Lisa Techel was a 23-year-old Iowa woman who worked in law enforcement and was 17 weeks pregnant when she was murdered in 2012.
Who killed Lisa Techel?
Her husband, Seth Techel, was found guilty of first-degree murder in 2014 after three trials.
Why did Seth Techel kill his wife?
He wanted to leave his marriage and start a new life with his mistress but didn’t want the social or legal complications of a divorce.
Was anyone else falsely accused?
Yes. Seth blamed neighbor Brian Tate, a mentally ill veteran, who was eventually ruled out. The accusation is believed to have contributed to Tate’s death.
How many trials did it take to convict Seth Techel?
It took three trials. The first two ended in hung juries, and he was convicted during the third.
What happened to Seth Techel?
He is serving a life sentence without parole in an Iowa state prison.