Stephanie Birn Found Dead in Kenosha Home After Violent 13th Avenue Attack; Dale R. Dallia Detained as Homicide Investigation Continues.

KENOSHA, WI – April 27, 2026 – A quiet residential street on Kenosha’s northside became the epicenter of a harrowing criminal investigation this weekend, after authorities discovered 37-year-old Stephanie Birn dead inside a home following a reported altercation. The violence, which also left a 41-year-old man seriously injured, has sent shockwaves through a community unaccustomed to such brutality.

What began as a routine disturbance call Saturday afternoon has since evolved into a complex, multi-victim homicide probe, with Kenosha Police confirming that one person has been detained and evidence of a “violent and brutal attack” is at the center of the case.

The Initial Call for Service

According to Kenosha Police Department spokesperson Lt. Margaret Hollister, dispatchers received a call around 3:30 p.m. on April 25, 2026, reporting an altercation at a single-family residence located in the 5700 block of 13th Avenue. The caller, whose identity has not been released, described raised voices, sounds of a struggle, and what they believed to be a physical confrontation involving multiple individuals.

“At that hour on a Saturday, the neighborhood is typically active — kids outside, people running errands,” Lt. Hollister said during a Sunday morning press conference. “The caller was concerned enough to report that the disturbance seemed to be escalating rather than calming down.”

Officers arrived on the scene within six minutes of the dispatch. Upon pulling up to the property — a modest, well-kept home with a small front porch and a chain-link fence — they immediately observed a man attempting to leave the area on foot. That individual was later identified as Dale R. Dallia, 42, a Kenosha resident.

Detention of Dale R. Dallia

Police say Dallia was not running or acting erratically, but his demeanor and the timing of his departure raised immediate suspicion. Officers detained him without resistance in the front yard of the home. He was handcuffed and placed in a squad car for further questioning. No weapons were found on his person at the time of detention, though authorities have not ruled out the use of a weapon in the attack.

Dallia has not been formally charged as of this publication, but he remains in police custody as the investigation continues. Neighbors told local news affiliates that they had occasionally seen Dallia visiting the home over the past several months but did not know the exact nature of his relationship with the residents.

“He seemed quiet, kept to himself,” said Marcus Teller, a neighbor who lives three doors down. “Never thought something like this would happen here. It’s terrifying.”

Discovery of the First Victim

After securing the perimeter, officers entered the residence to check on the well-being of anyone inside. In the main living area, they found a 41-year-old man — whose name has not yet been released pending family notification — suffering from what police described as “serious, life-threatening injuries.” The man was conscious but unable to speak clearly. Officers provided emergency first aid, including applying pressure to what appeared to be stab wounds and blunt-force trauma to the head and upper body.

Kenosha Fire Department EMS arrived shortly thereafter and transported the victim to Froedtert South – Kenosha Hospital, where he remains in critical but stable condition. Hospital officials declined to comment on his prognosis, citing privacy laws. Police have not confirmed whether the injured man was a resident of the home or a visitor.

The Devastating Discovery of Stephanie Birn

As officers swept through the rest of the house, they made a grim find in a back bedroom. Stephanie Birn, 37, of Kenosha, was found unresponsive on the floor. Medics pronounced her dead at the scene at 4:12 p.m. The cause of death has not been officially released pending an autopsy by the Kenosha County Medical Examiner’s Office, but authorities stated that “preliminary observations indicate she was the victim of a violent and brutal attack.”

Sources close to the investigation, speaking on condition of anonymity, told this reporter that Birn’s injuries appeared consistent with a combination of blunt-force trauma and sharp-object wounds. There were also signs of a struggle inside the bedroom, including overturned furniture and blood spatter on two walls.

“This was not a simple domestic argument that got out of hand,” one investigator said. “This was a sustained, violent assault.”

Neighbors were stunned. “I heard some loud bangs around 3 p.m., but I thought it was kids messing around or maybe someone moving furniture,” said Doris Hanley, 68, who lives across the street. “Then I saw all the police cars and the yellow tape. I never imagined someone died. Stephanie was always waving from the porch. This is just heartbreaking.”

A Complex Crime Scene

The 5700 block of 13th Avenue was closed to traffic for nearly 14 hours as forensic teams processed the scene. Kenosha Police Crime Scene Unit members were seen photographing the exterior of the home, collecting potential evidence from the front yard, and marking over two dozen evidence placards both inside and outside the residence.

Neighbors reported seeing officers remove several brown paper bags — typically used to collect potential evidence such as clothing, weapons, or trace materials — as well as what appeared to be a large kitchen knife sealed in an evidence box. Police have not confirmed whether that item is connected to the homicide.

Lt. Hollister emphasized that the investigation is still in its early stages. “We have a significant amount of physical evidence to analyze, witness statements to corroborate, and a timeline to establish,” she said. “We are asking anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday to come forward.”

Who Was Stephanie Birn?

As details of the crime emerged, friends and family of Stephanie Birn began sharing memories of a woman described as kind, hardworking, and deeply connected to her community. Birn had lived in Kenosha for over a decade, working most recently as a dental office manager at a clinic near downtown. Colleagues remembered her as organized, warm, and someone who always volunteered to help patients in distress.

“Stephanie had a smile that could light up a waiting room,” said Dr. Alan Mehta, a dentist who worked with Birn for six years. “She cared about people. She was the first to notice if a coworker was having a bad day. The idea that someone would harm her is beyond comprehension.”

Outside of work, Birn was an avid runner and participated in the annual Kenosha Half Marathon. She was also a volunteer at the Kenosha Area Animal Welfare Society, where she helped with dog adoption events. A small memorial of flowers, candles, and a handwritten sign reading “Justice for Stephanie” appeared outside the 13th Avenue home early Sunday morning.

Her family released a brief statement through the Kenosha Police Department: “We are shattered by the loss of our beloved Stephanie. She was a daughter, a sister, and a friend to many. We ask for privacy as we grieve and trust that law enforcement will bring whoever did this to justice.”

The Injured 41-Year-Old Man

While much of the public focus has been on Birn’s death, investigators are also working to determine the role of the seriously injured 41-year-old man found in the living room. Police have not disclosed his identity, but multiple unconfirmed reports suggest he may have been a roommate or long-term guest at the residence.

Questions remain: Was he also a victim of Dallia? Could he have been involved in the altercation that preceded the violence? Or did he intervene and become injured as a result? Authorities have not ruled out any scenario, though they have stated that there is no evidence at this time of anyone else being involved beyond the three individuals initially inside the home.

The man has not been able to provide a formal statement to police due to the severity of his injuries. Doctors expect him to survive, but it remains unclear when he will be well enough to be interviewed.

The Role of Dale R. Dallia

As of Sunday evening, Dale R. Dallia has not been charged, though Wisconsin law allows for suspects to be held for up to 48 hours without formal charges while probable cause is established. A source within the Kenosha County District Attorney’s Office indicated that charges of first-degree intentional homicide and first-degree reckless injury are being reviewed.

Court records show that Dallia has a minor criminal history in Wisconsin, including a 2015 conviction for disorderly conduct and a 2019 charge of battery that was later dismissed after he completed an anger management program. He has no prior felony convictions. Neighbors described him as sometimes “moody” but not openly aggressive.

Police have not commented on a possible motive, nor have they confirmed whether Dallia knew Birn or the injured man prior to Saturday’s incident. Investigators are looking into digital evidence, including phone records and social media activity, to establish relationships and potential points of conflict.

Community Reaction and Calls for Justice

The violence has left many in Kenosha feeling unsettled. While the city has experienced its share of high-profile incidents in recent years — including civil unrest in 2020 — this week’s homicide feels different to some residents. It is not a shooting in a high-crime corridor or a gang-related dispute. It is a brutal killing inside a home on a street lined with children’s bicycles and American flags.

“This could have been any of us,” said Tamika Jones, who lives two blocks away. “You think you’re safe in your own home, and then something like this happens. My kids are scared to sleep alone now.”

A small vigil is being planned for Tuesday evening at Anderson Park, organized by friends of Birn. Organizers have requested attendees wear purple, Birn’s favorite color, and bring candles.

What Happens Next

Kenosha Police have stated that additional information will be released as the investigation progresses, but they caution that early details can be misleading. “We want to be thorough and accurate,” Lt. Hollister said. “A family is grieving. A woman has lost her life. We owe it to Stephanie Birn to get this right.”

An autopsy is scheduled for Monday morning. Results may take up to 48 hours, though preliminary findings could be released sooner if they are not needed for the ongoing investigation.

Meanwhile, the injured 41-year-old man remains under hospital care. Police have stationed an officer at the hospital to secure his room and speak with him as soon as his condition permits.

Dale R. Dallia is expected to appear before a Kenosha County judge by Tuesday at the latest, either for formal charging or for a release hearing if the district attorney requests more time to investigate.

A City in Mourning

For now, the 5700 block of 13th Avenue remains a place of sorrow and unanswered questions. Yellow crime scene tape still flutters from the front porch. A single teddy bear now sits at the base of a tree near the sidewalk, left by a stranger who heard the news and wanted to honor Stephanie Birn.

“She mattered,” reads the note attached to the bear. “Her life was not supposed to end like this.”

As the sun sets on another day in Kenosha, the community holds its breath — waiting for answers, seeking justice, and remembering a woman whose life was taken far too soon.

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Anyone with information related to the incident on the 5700 block of 13th Avenue is urged to contact the Kenosha Police Department Detective Bureau at (262) 605-5200 or to remain anonymous by calling Kenosha Area Crime Stoppers at (262) 656-7333.