Minnesota Woman Viciously Murdered by Man She Rejected

RICHFIELD, Minn. — The tight-knit suburb of Richfield stands in shock and sorrow following the discovery of 22‑year‑old Kayli Grace Arseth, found dead in her apartment on June 17 after a welfare check by authorities. Police say she suffered multiple gunshot wounds, and a neighbor reported hearing her anguished plea—“How could you do this to me?”—shortly before her life was brutally ended.

On the morning of June 17, Kayli’s family, worried after she failed to wake up, didn’t go to her job, and was unresponsive to calls, asked police to check on her. Responding officers used a key from management to enter her apartment on the 7700 block of Penn Avenue South around 9 a.m. There, they found what they described as a “gruesome scene”: Kayli’s motionless body with signs of a struggle and fatal gunshot wounds to the head.

Investigators say the suspected shooter is 27‑year‑old Jose Luis Lopez Xique, a man Kayli had met online and spent time with. Messages obtained by investigators show Lopez Xique asked for a romantic relationship, but Kayli repeatedly made clear she only wanted to remain friends.

On June 16, Kayli asked Lopez Xique to help with her motorcycle. His phone’s location data confirms he was at her apartment building between 3:38 p.m. and 4:47 p.m., the same time a neighbor heard yelling and Kayli’s voice asking, “How could you do this to me?”.

Shortly after, Lopez Xique’s phone was tracked to Bloomington. There, police discovered two trash bags containing 16 rounds of 9 mm ammunition, a box of gauze, disposable gloves, a hat, shoes, wipes, rubber gloves, and masking tape—items matching purchases he made earlier that day.

When arrested on July 3 near his Shakopee home, Lopez Xique appeared calm and even indifferent, reportedly telling officers to “hurry it up.” He bore visible scratches and puncture wounds on his arms and chest. Police seized a Glock 9 mm firearm from his residence.

Lopez Xique faces charges of second‑degree intentional murder in Hennepin County. He is held on $3 million bail, with a first court appearance set for August 5. Mary Moriarty, Hennepin County Attorney, expressed outrage, calling the killing “a terrible instance of extreme, targeted violence that took Kayli from her loved ones.” She pledged to see that Lopez Xique is held fully accountable.

Kayli was cherished by her family and community as a vibrant, loving, and driven young woman. She worked as a behavioral technician supporting children with autism and had ambitions to study developmental psychology at the University of Minnesota.

A decorated athlete, she competed in swimming and track at Wayzata High School, and enjoyed skateboarding, snowboarding, art, and music. A GoFundMe campaign, raising over $44,000, describes her as “bright, sassy, funny, and caring,” with an unwavering passion for life.

This tragedy serves as a stark warning about the dangers that can arise from online connections, especially when romantic expectations go unmet. Authorities stress the importance of recognizing red flags and practicing safe online interactions.

In the wake of Kayli’s death, support has surged through local vigils and online tributes. Prominent voices advocate for increased awareness of intimate violence, particularly when relationships blur in digital spaces.

Domestic violence hotlines urge anyone in distress to seek help. In Minnesota, resources like Violence Free Minnesota and the Minnesota Day One Hotline are available 24/7.

As Richfield grieves, Kayli’s family holds onto her warmth, compassion, and fierce independence. Their hope is that her story sparks change—and that justice and healing may follow through the legal system.