A 32-year-old Iowa woman, Margot Lewis, has been indicted on two counts of second-degree murder. The charges were filed in Hennepin County District Court following the discovery of Liara Tsai’s body in the back seat of a car driven by Lewis. Tsai, 35, was found wrapped in a blood-soaked blanket, with a puncture wound to her neck. The charges against Lewis include both intentional and unintentional second-degree murder.
The prosecution alleges that the murder took place in Tsai’s apartment, where Lewis is believed to have stabbed Tsai. Video surveillance from the apartment building captured Lewis leaving the location with Tsai’s dog in the early morning hours of June 22. The dog was later found at the scene of a car accident.
The motive behind the alleged murder remains unclear. Tsai’s ex-spouse described their past relationship as fraught with emotional difficulties. A search of Tsai’s apartment yielded unsettling evidence, including a blood-stained object on a bed, a small shovel, antifreeze, and a missing kitchen knife.
In addition to the murder charges, Lewis is facing a separate charge in Olmstead County related to a car crash. The car is believed to have belonged to Tsai. Lewis has also been charged with felony interference with a dead body and is currently being held on a $1 million bond. She has declined to cooperate with law enforcement and reportedly became physically aggressive when asked to provide fingernail clippings.
Tsai, who was more than just a popular DJ, was a beloved figure in the community and a recognized advocate for trans rights. The investigation into the motive behind her tragic death is still ongoing. Lewis is set to appear in court on July 5, and it is currently unknown whether she has secured legal counsel.