Dateline: Before Dawn - A complete timeline of the Lisa Techel murder case, revisited

Before Dawn aired on September 27, 2014, as part of Dateline NBC's long tradition of examining American true crime. This episode tracks the horrific murder of young, pregnant jailer Lisa Techel from Iowa, painting an intimate portrait of her life, her unnatural death, and a pursuit of justice that engulfed the community in the American heartland.

The documentary starts with the suspicion of the police against a disgruntled neighbor, but soon turns to Lisa's husband, Seth Techel, after evidence starts to mount.

The episode takes viewers through years of heartbreak, legal twists, and deep secrets, all centered on what happened on May 26, 2012. Each aspect is revisited by Dateline, presenting viewers with new interviews and never-before-seen details, taking them on a journey through the arduous pursuit of justice.

High school sweethearts, a volatile neighbor, and buried secrets intertwine to create one of Iowa's most puzzling murder mysteries and its eventual solution.

---

Lisa Techel murder: Dateline timeline

Here is a chronological timeline of the Lisa Techel murder case, based on Dateline's coverage, going back to the origin of the case, and then working through to its legal resolution.

October 15, 2011: A new beginning

Lisa Caldwell and Seth Techel, high school sweethearts, get hitched after years of dating. They move to a trailer in Agency, Iowa, and soon learn they're having a daughter, Zoe Marie. Lisa begins her career as a jailer at Washington County Jail, and Seth trains for a similar post at Wapello County.

May 25, 2012: Trouble brewing

The couple's life may seem happy, but Dateline exposes that things were becoming strained. Lisa's father, the local sheriff's deputy, feels that something is off about Seth and Lisa. Brian, their neighbor, who was a disabled Army veteran, has been involved in a dispute over property boundaries, with the conflict going on for months and intensifying in recent weeks.

May 26, 2012, 5:00 AM: The shooting

As per Seth, he is in the shower on the fateful morning when he hears a shotgun blast. He runs into their bedroom to see Lisa lying unconscious, having suffered a gunshot injury to her upper left quadrant. Lisa dies on the spot, as does her unborn child.

Seth dials 911 at 5:23 am. Meanwhile, Lisa's parents, Todd and Amy Caldwell, arrive in minutes. Lisa's stepmother, Amy, narrates her experience of discovering Lisa to Dateline:

“I ran in there and you could tell that she was gone. I held her hand and I rubbed her belly and just said, ‘My Lisa, my Lisa.’”

May 26–28, 2012: Initial investigation

Authorities are the first to turn to neighbor Brian because of the property dispute and his history of paranoia and other mental illnesses. Deputies grill him, but they can't find anything to connect him to the murder. There isn't evidence of forced entry or struggle at the scene.

Brian told Dateline:

“I was Mr. Nice Guy for a long time. It done me no good. People took advantage of me, so I’m kinda taking a different approach to life right now.”

Early June 2012: A shift in focus

As Dateline tells viewers, investigators would find a burner phone belonging to Seth. Emails to a co-worker named Rachel reveal an affair, and a discussion of leaving Lisa. Seth confesses to leading Rachel on, which throws suspicion on him. A shotgun belonging to one of Seth's buddies is found in the nearby woods, setting up a case against Seth.

June 2012: Arrest and shock to the community

After the funeral of Lisa, Seth is arrested and put in custody in the handcuffs used by Lisa as a deputy. The small Iowan community is stunned to learn that Lisa's husband is now the primary suspect.

2012–2015: The trials

Seth Techel's road through the justice system is a bumpy one. The first two trials end in hung juries, with defence lawyers honing in on the neighbour Brian as the (potential) murderer. However, the prosecutors have a case based on Seth's recent affair, opportunity, and ownership of the murder weapon.

July 2016: The final conviction

At the third trial, the prosecution wins. Seth Techel is convicted of first-degree murder and non-consensual termination of a pregnancy. He is sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Lisa and her unborn daughter. The conviction is affirmed by the Iowa Court of Appeals.

August 2025: Case revisited

More than 10 years later, Dateline's Before Dawn re-examines the case with new interviews, new information from the victims' family, and a fresh look at the investigation and trial. The episode sheds light on the impact that trauma has had on everyone involved, and pays homage to Lisa's legacy through a careful and genuine retelling of her story.

Also, read: Dateline: The Target - 5 harrowing details about the Ira Bernstein case, revisited