Sioux City, IA: Sioux Cityan who killed wife dies while serving sentence

By Molly Montag and Michele Linck - Journal staff writers | Posted: Saturday, June 26, 2010
DES MOINES -- Timothy Leon Sohler, 51, a Sioux City man convicted of killing his wife nearly two years ago, died Wednesday at University Hospitals in Iowa City, an Iowa Department of Corrections spokesman said Friday.
Sohler was taken to the hospital from Anamosa State Penitentiary, where he was serving a 25-year sentence.
Spokesman Fred Scaletta said that the cause of death remains unknown and will be determined following the results of an autopsy performed on Thursday. He said the autopsy included toxicological testing, so it could take up to six weeks to receive results.
Sohler pleaded guilty to attempted murder and willful injury last year in Woodbury County District Court for the fatal stabbing of his wife, Susan Sohler. The crime took place on Dec. 22, 2008, in the kitchen of their home on Fieldcrest Drive.
Sohler allegedly prevented his 13-year-old twins from calling 911 until their mother had stopped breathing. He began serving his sentence on Dec. 3, 2009, Scaletta said.
Sohler was initially charged with first-degree murder, but pleaded guilty to lesser charges, so the case never went to trial. As part of the plea agreement, Sohler was required to serve at least 17.5 years before he was eligible for parole.