Christopher Lee Neal sentenced to more than 27 years for 2nd Degree Murder

Neal received a 326-month sentence after killing a woman he met at bar

November 25, 2025 (SAINT PAUL) — Today, a Benton County court sentenced Christopher Lee Neal to 326 months in prison for his role in the August 12, 2024, murder of V.G. in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota.

On August 11, 2024, Neal went to a local bar in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota, where he drank alcohol and met V.G.  Security cameras showed Neal getting into V.G.’s vehicle, and they were later seen on an apartment building security camera entering the apartment building where V.G. lived around 1:15 a.m. on August 12, 2024.  Neal left the apartment building a couple of hours later, and fled in V.G.’s vehicle.  V.G. was found deceased  in the apartment later that day.  An autopsy determined that V.G.’s cause of death was attributed to strangulation, and Neal’s DNA was found on V.G.’s neck.  About a week later, local authorities arrested Neal near New Orleans, Louisiana, and he was transported back to Minnesota for prosecution thereafter.

Attorney General Ellison’s office prosecuted Neal upon a referral from Benton County Attorney Kathleen Reuter under Minnesota Statutes section 8.01, which provides, “Upon request of the county attorney, the attorney general shall appear in court in such criminal cases as the attorney general deems proper.” The authority vested in the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office is primarily civil.  Aside from referrals submitted under section 8.01 and Medicaid fraud, the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office does not have prosecuting authority over most criminal acts. That authority generally rests with city and county attorneys.

“My thoughts are with Neal’s victim and her friends and family today,” said Attorney General Ellison. “I hope that Neal’s sentencing can bring them at least some measure of solace in their grief. Neal’s crimes were horrifying, and I thank the law enforcement agents that helped bring him to justice. My office and I stand ready to continue to improve public safety by prosecuting dangerous individuals like Neal.”

The Sauk Rapids Police Department investigated this matter with assistance from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Aitkin County Sheriff’s Office, and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office.