Man convicted of first-degree murder in Richfield 'rejection killing'

A jury has convicted Jose Luis Lopez Xique, 27, of first-degree premeditated murder in connection with the 2025 death of Kayli Arseth, a 22-year-old woman from Richfield, Minnesota. The conviction follows a trial in which prosecutors argued that Lopez Xique killed Arseth after she repeatedly rejected his attempts to begin a romantic relationship.

The Conviction and Sentence

Lopez Xique was found guilty of first-degree premeditated murder, second-degree intentional murder, and harassment with a dangerous weapon. According to court records, a first-degree murder conviction in Minnesota carries a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole. His formal sentencing hearing is scheduled for Oct. 15 at 11 a.m.

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty addressed the verdict in a statement. "My thoughts are with Kayli’s loved ones today, and I am so sorry for their loss," Moriarty said. "This was a horrifying instance of a ‘rejection killing’ where Mr. Lopez Xique refused to accept that Kayli did not want a relationship."

Timeline of Events

Court documents and police reports indicate that Arseth and Lopez Xique met online and maintained a platonic friendship. Messages reviewed by investigators showed that Lopez Xique asked Arseth for a romantic relationship, to which she responded that she was only interested in friendship.

On June 16, 2025, Arseth contacted Lopez Xique on Snapchat at 2:55 p.m., stating, "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."

Lopez Xique responded by saying he was "confused" and wanted "to be there for" her. He added, "And you say you don't want any other relationship, but I feel like you're just looking for something different." Arseth clarified that she "just wasn't ready for a relationship."

Phone data placed Lopez Xique at Arseth’s apartment building at approximately 3:38 p.m. on June 16. He sent his last message from that location at 4:49 p.m. before leaving for a hardware store. His phone remained at the building for at least an hour.

Investigation and Evidence

A welfare check was conducted on June 17 after Arseth failed to show up for work and did not meet with a friend. Police entered her apartment and discovered she had died from a gunshot wound to the head. The complaint described the scene as "gruesome," noting Arseth was face down on her living room floor.

Authorities later found two bags of discarded items in West Bloomington, which included 16 rounds of 9mm ammunition, a blue utility shirt, sunglasses, an empty box of gauze, blue disposable gloves, a pair of shoes, and a hat. Court records state that when Lopez Xique was arrested, he "did not inquire about why he was arrested, told officers to hurry it up and seemed unsurprised."

Why it matters

This case highlights the legal consequences of violence stemming from rejected romantic advances, often referred to by prosecutors as a "rejection killing." The mandatory life sentence underscores the severity with which Minnesota law treats premeditated murder. The case also serves as a reminder of the resources available for those experiencing abuse or harassment, including the National Domestic Violence Hotline and Minnesota Day One.

---

Sources

• kstp.com: Man convicted of 1st-degree murder for death of Richfield woman who rejected his romantic advances - KSTP.com 5 Eyewitness News
• yahoo.com: Minnesota Man Fatally Shot Woman in Head After She Told Him She ‘Wasn’t Ready’ for a Relationship

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.