08-07-2025
22-year-old killed by man when she refused his romantic advances, MN cops say
A 22-year-old woman found dead in her apartment had just rebuffed a man's romantic advances, Minnesota authorities say.
Weeks after the 'extreme, targeted violence' against Kayli Grace Arseth, 27-year-old Jose Luis Lopez Xique is now charged with second-degree intentional murder in her death, the Hennepin County Attorney's Office said in a July 7 news release.
Text messages leading up to Arseth's killing reveal Lopez Xique was interested in starting a romantic relationship with her, but she told him she was only interested in being friends, prosecutors said.
'I did enjoy hanging out with you, but I don't have enough mental capacity for any type of relationship right now,' Arseth told Lopez Xique in a Snapchat message on June 16, according to court records.
Arseth was shot in the head and died that same day, KSTP reported, citing Richfield police.
An analysis of Lopez Xique's phone showed he was at Arseth's apartment from 3:38 p.m. to 4:47 p.m. the day of her killing, according to the court records. A neighbor reported hearing the two arguing a few minutes before he left to go to a hardware store.
'How could you do this to me?' the neighbor heard Arseth say, according to the criminal complaint obtained by Bring Me The News.
Lopez Xique went on to purchase 'masking tape, gauze, an apron, masks, gloves, sunglasses, wipes and other products' at a store, the publication reported. Those items were later found in the trash in an area where his phone had pinged.
A welfare check was requested at Arseth's home on July 17, leading authorities to what they called a 'gruesome scene,' KARE reported, citing the criminal complaint.
'The search warrant states there were bloodstains in the apartment and officers observed what appeared to be a blood smear on the exterior side of the apartment door,' according to KMSP.
The Richfield Police Department said Lopez Xique was arrested near his Shakopee home on July 3. He is being held in jail on $2.5 million bail.
Lopez Xique appeared 'unsurprised' and did not ask authorities why he was being arrested, KSTP reported.
'This was a terrible instance of extreme, targeted violence that took Kayli from her loved ones,' Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said in a statement. 'My thoughts are with her family during this extraordinarily difficult period. Our office will prosecute Mr. Lopez Xique to protect our community and hold him accountable for his actions.'
Arseth was described in an obituary as a 'vibrant spirit, with a very bright, sassy, funny and caring personality.' Working as a behavioral technician, Arseth was said to have an 'unwavering compassion for others.'
'Kayli made a positive difference in many people's lives and will be deeply missed,' according to the obituary. 'She always told people, 'Well, you're stuck with me'. The irony is that she is now stuck in our hearts forever.'
Richfield is a southern suburb of Minneapolis.
