Minnesota Jury Convicts Jose Luis Lopez Xique of Murder

A Minnesota jury has convicted Jose Luis Lopez Xique, 27, of murdering Kayli Arseth, 22, at her apartment in Richfield in June 2025 after she declined his requests for a romantic relationship. The October 9, 2026, verdict includes first-degree premeditated murder, second-degree intentional murder and harassment with a dangerous weapon, according to the Hennepin County Attorney's Office.

The first-degree murder conviction carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole under Minnesota law. Lopez Xique's formal sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 15, 2026, at 11 a.m., according to court and prosecution records.

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty described the case as a killing motivated by the defendant's refusal to accept Arseth's decision. She also highlighted the loss suffered by Arseth's family and friends.

"This was a horrifying instance of a 'rejection killing' where Mr. Lopez Xique refused to accept that Kayli did not want a relationship," Moriarty said in a statement following the verdict.

Moriarty said Arseth had a strong interest in music and art and valued her relationships with family and friends. Arseth was restoring her motorcycle while working as a behavioral technician serving children with special needs.

"She should still be with her family and her loved ones," Moriarty said.

Investigators said Arseth and Lopez Xique met online and developed a close friendship, spending time together and communicating frequently. According to the criminal complaint, their relationship was not romantic or sexual, and Arseth repeatedly indicated that she wanted to remain friends.

Messages exchanged on June 16, 2025, showed Lopez Xique seeking a romantic relationship and Arseth explaining that she was overwhelmed and not prepared to pursue one. She had contacted him that day to ask whether he could help repair her motorcycle.

In one message documented in the criminal complaint, Arseth explained her position directly.

"I did enjoy hanging out with you, but I don't have enough mental capacity for any type of relationship right now. I'm trying to figure out myself as well as manage my relationship with my parents and I'm overwhelmed and stressed already," Arseth wrote in a Snapchat message at 2:55 p.m. on June 16.

Lopez Xique responded that he was confused and wanted to support her, according to the complaint. He subsequently acknowledged that he had been pushing to spend time together and indicated that he could scale back their interactions.

Phone records placed Lopez Xique at Arseth's apartment building that afternoon. According to investigators, he arrived at approximately 3:38 p.m. and sent his final recorded message to her from the location at 4:49 p.m.

Arseth was discovered dead the following day after she failed to appear at work and did not meet a friend as expected. Relatives and others who could not reach her requested a welfare check, prompting Richfield police to enter her apartment with assistance from building management.

Officers found Arseth face down on the living room floor with an apparent gunshot wound to the head. The Hennepin Medical Examiner ruled her death a homicide, according to reporting by FOX 9.

Investigators found no signs of forced entry, and court records described bloodstains inside the apartment and what appeared to be a blood smear on the exterior of the door. Prosecutors presented phone-location evidence placing Lopez Xique at the apartment before he traveled to a hardware store.

Additional evidence described in court records included two bags of discarded items found in West Bloomington later that evening. The items included 16 rounds of 9mm ammunition, a blue utility shirt, sunglasses, an empty box of gauze, blue disposable gloves, shoes and a hat.

According to KSTP's account of the court documents, Lopez Xique appeared unsurprised when officers arrested him and told them to hurry. The jury's verdict on October 9 established his criminal liability for the killing, and his formal sentencing remains scheduled for October 15.