Woman gets 40 years for killing former partner

A woman was sentenced to 40 years in prison on Thursday for the murder of 35-year-old Liara Tsai.

A jury convicted 33-year-old Margot Lewis of two counts of second-degree murder. She was given credit for 517 days already served and must pay over $2,500 in restitution to the victim’s loved ones.

Lewis is still facing charges for concealing Tsai’s body.

Olmsted County deputies responded to a crash on Interstate 90 in Eyota in June of 2024 and found Lewis sitting in the median. Two good Samaritans who stopped to help after the crash told authorities they saw a deceased person in the back seat of the sedan.

Deputies found Tsai, obviously deceased, with a puncture wound to her neck. She had been wrapped in bedding, a mattress, and a tarp. It was obvious to investigators that Tsai didn’t die as a result of the crash.

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Investigators executed a search warrant on Tsai’s Minneapolis apartment and found her bed saturated in blood.

Court documents noted that Tsai and Lewis were former romantic partners. Tsai’s former spouse told investigators that the relationship between Tsai and Lewis was “sordid and emotionally challenging,” the complaint states.

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, several resources are available to offer help. For immediate help, contact:

The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233.

Minnesota Day One at 866-223-1111.

The Women’s Advocates crisis line at 651-227-8284.

More than 12 million people just in the U.S. are affected by domestic violence every year, according to the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

The organizations listed above can help connect victims to resources like safe shelter, advocacy, legal help and support groups.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline also offers tips for identifying abuse and supporting victims of abuse. CLICK HERE to see those.

Other organizations that can help include:

Violence Free Minnesota at 651-646-6177 or 800-289-6177.

STANDPOINT(formerly the Battered Women’s Legal Advocacy Project) at 612-343-9842.

Mending the Sacred Hoop at 888-305-1650.

Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault at 612-209-9993.

Minnesota also has a list of many other resources for victims of crimes that can be found HERE.

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