Tonia Piontek returned to court this week as her defense team works toward a plea deal in the fatal stabbing of her fiance. The 46-year-old faces first-degree intentional homicide charges stemming from the April 2025 incident in Green Bay. Her attorney is awaiting a report from a domestic violence expert.
Tonia Piontek, 46, is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, along with modifiers for domestic violence and use of a deadly weapon, following the death of her 41-year-old fiance on April 13, 2025. Police responded to her 911 call at 10 p.m. that evening, where she stated, 'I just stabbed my boyfriend, I don't think he's okay. Someone needs to get here now!' She described an argument after drinking, saying her fiance 'came at me' and that she kept a knife nearby for protection because 'he's a lot bigger than me.' Officers found the man in the kitchen with a pastry chef knife wound; the autopsy confirmed death from a stab to the chest, though the complaint noted the knife in his neck. Piontek showed bruises on her forearms, calling them 'just normal for me.' A neighbor reported frequent arguments and prior 911 calls about the couple. In Brown County Court on Thursday, as reported by WLUK, Piontek's defense attorney said they are negotiating a plea but need input from a domestic violence expert, echoing arguments from a December 2025 hearing. Piontek remains in Brown County Jail on $1 million cash bond. Her next appearance is scheduled for August 17.