ST. PAUL, Minn. - A 32-year-old St. Paul man has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder charges in connection with the October 2011 death of Megan Neely, according to the Ramsey County Attorney's Office.
Corey Dean Thomas pleaded guilty on Monday to one count of murder in the second degree.
According to the complaint, police found Neely's body inside a crawl space at her home on Milton Avenue in St. Paul. The Ramsey County Medical Examiner determined that she died of asphyxia due to manual strangulation.
Police investigators spoke with Thomas later that afternoon where he stated that he and the victim "got into it" after which she broke up with him, according to the complaint.
He was arrested by Miami police after fleeing Minnesota by bus a couple of days later.
"This case reminds us of the terrible toll that domestic violence takes on families and the community as a whole," said Ramsey County Attorney John Choi. "We are grateful for today's plea as it spares the victim's family the pain of a trial and holds the offender accountable."
Thomas faces up to 33 years in prison. He will be sentenced on Dec. 11.
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