Minnesota Man Charged With Murder After Woman Rejects Romantic Advances

RICHFIELD, Minn.  — A 27-year-old Minnesota man is facing a second-degree murder charge after allegedly killing a woman who told him she was not interested in a romantic relationship.

Jose Luis Lopez Xique has been charged in the fatal shooting of 22-year-old Kayli Grace Arseth, whose body was discovered inside her Richfield apartment on June 17. According to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office, Arseth died from multiple gunshot wounds.

Officials say the motive stemmed from Arseth’s rejection of Lopez Xique’s romantic advances. Text messages revealed she clearly communicated that she only wanted to remain friends, while Lopez Xique continued to pursue a deeper relationship, asking to go on “real dates.”

According to a criminal complaint, Arseth’s family contacted police for a welfare check after she missed work and failed to respond to calls. When officers arrived at her apartment, they found what was described as a “gruesome scene.”

Police said Lopez Xique and Arseth had met online and had spent time together, but friends confirmed their relationship was never romantic or sexual.

Investigators tracked Lopez Xique’s phone location, which placed him at Arseth’s apartment for about an hour on June 16. A neighbor reported hearing an argument around the same time.

Later, in nearby Bloomington, authorities discovered two bags containing items linked to the crime, including gloves, ammunition, gauze, a hat, and shoes. A Glock 9mm handgun was also recovered from Lopez Xique’s residence.

Police said Lopez Xique appeared unsurprised during his arrest and had visible scratches and wounds on his arms.

He remains in the Hennepin County Jail on a $3 million bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 5.

In a statement, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty called Arseth’s death “a terrible instance of extreme, targeted violence that took Kayli from her loved ones.”

Arseth’s family and friends remember her as a vibrant and compassionate young woman. A graduate of Wayzata High School, she was active in athletics, art, and music. She worked as a behavioral technician for children with autism and had plans to study developmental psychology at the University of Minnesota.

“She loved hard and was always accepting of everyone,” her family wrote on a GoFundMe page. “We will never stop until we find justice for you.”