HASTINGS, Minn. – A judge has sentenced a 35-year-old Red Wing man to life in prison for the 2021 murder of his girlfriend at a Hastings hotel.
The Dakota County Prosecutor’s Office says a jury has ruled Kyle Williams guilty of two counts of first-degree murder and one count of first-degree murder and first-degree assault for the death of 36-year-old Kelly Kocurek from Hastings.
Court documents show that on May 18, 2021, Hastings Police responded to a medical call at a local hotel. Upon arrival, officers found Kocurek lifeless with marks. around her neck. Her face was also bloodied and bruised. She was taken to a hospital where she remained in a coma for five days until she died.
Williams allegedly told officers that Kocurek had tried to strangle himself and that he had cut the cords around her neck.
However, the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office noted that several of Kocurek’s injuries were inconsistent with being self-inflicted. In addition to her asphyxiation injuries, she had multiple injuries consistent with physical abuse.
“Today, justice has been rightly served as Mr. Williams will now be held accountable for his ongoing acts of domestic violence that culminated in the violent murder of Kelly,” said Dakota County Attorney Kathy Keena. “While no outcome can ever fully heal the wounds of this heartbreaking incident, I hope today’s ruling brings some peace and comfort to Kelly’s family and loved ones.”
Williams will not be given the option of parole, which is mandatory for first-degree murder convictions.
For anonymous, confidential help, people can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or 1-800-787-3224.
