Kyle Steven Williams, 35, was found guilty by a jury for the death of 36-year-old Kelly Jo Marie Kocurek. Williams was found guilty on all four counts — first-degree murder while committing domestic abuse with past pattern of domestic abuse, premeditated first-degree murder, intentional second-degree murder and first-degree assault great bodily harm.
The jury deliberated for less than a day before they reached the verdict, following a five-day trial. The Honorable Dannia Edwards sentenced Williams to a life sentence without the possibility of parole, a mandatory term for the conviction of premeditated first-degree murder.
On May 18, 2021, officers from the Hastings Police Department responded to a medical call at a local hotel. Officers found Kocurek on the floor in a room unresponsive with marks around her neck and her face was bloodied and bruised. Multiple cords were lying next to her body. Kocurek was transported to a hospital and remained in a coma until her death five days later.
During the investigation, Williams told officers that Kocurek had tried to strangle herself and he had to cut the cords from around her neck. However, according to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office, it was determined Kocurek’s death was a homicide and she died as a result of asphyxia due to ligature strangulation.
The medical examiner also noted that several of her injuries were inconsistent of a self-inflicted injury. Kocurek also suffered numerous traumatic head injuries attributed to physical assault including bruises on her face, head and ear, and bilateral fractures of her jaw.
“Today justice was rightly served as Mr. Williams will now be held accountable for his continued acts of domestic abuse 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 verdict brings some peace and comfort to Kelly’s family and loved ones.”
County Attorney Keena thanked the Hastings Police Department and the Minnesota BCA for their assistance in the investigation and Chief Deputy Cheri Townsend and Assistant County Attorney Kelly Rodgers who prosecuted this case.