Minnesota man accused of strangling girlfriend with belt, fatally striking her with baseball bat
05/02/2022 2:23 pm PDT
BRAINERD, Minn. (TCD) -- A 53-year-old man was arrested after allegedly strangling his 43-year-old girlfriend with a belt and striking her with a baseball bat.
According to a press release from the Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office, on Thursday, April 28, at approximately 8 a.m., deputies responded to a home on Smith Road in First Assessment to perform a welfare check.
Upon deputies’ arrival, the Brainerd Dispatch reports the suspect, Michael Munger, was in the driveway with blood on his body and clothes, and he told authorities something to the effect of, "You’re too late, she’s gone."
Deputies reportedly searched the home and located Munger’s live-in girlfriend, Lynnie Ann Loucks, deceased lying in a pool of blood in a basement bedroom with a belt around her neck.
The victim’s ex-husband allegedly received a text from Munger that said Loucks was "gone," and he requested the initial welfare check.
According to a complaint obtained by the Brainerd Dispatch, Munger told authorities he and his girlfriend got into an argument revolving around infidelity, and he "did what he did," and strangled Loucks with the belt and hit her with a baseball bat.
On Friday, April 29, Munger reportedly appeared in court for his arraignment and was charged with second-degree murder with intent but without premeditation and second-degree murder without intent but while committing a felony. He remains held in the Crow Wing County Jail on $3 million bond. His next court hearing is scheduled for May 12.
According to the Brainerd Dispatch, Munger has a lengthy criminal history, including domestic violence, felony terroristic threats, and felony violating an order of protection.
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