Minneapolis man charged in death of his girlfriend

A Minneapolis man has been charged in connection to the beating death of his girlfriend last November.

According to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office, 39-year-old Almanzo Cotton faces one count of second-degree murder in connection to the death of 54-year-old Kim Theng. His first court appearance will be set once he is extradited from Illinois.

A criminal complaint said Cotton called 911 on Nov. 17 to report a burglary at his home. Cotton later called back and said he found Theng on the floor of his home.

Theng was taken to an area hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

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The complaint says Cotton told investigators that he and his wife had gotten into an argument in the days leading up to her death and that she left their house. He told police that he did not see her again until he found her on the floor of their home.

A family member of Theng told police the two had gotten into a fight and that she was staying in a hotel. The family member told the investigators that Cotton had a history of physically abusing Theng.

Police used phone location data to track both Cotton and Theng’s phone. The data showed both Theng at Cotton were at their home.

When police interviewed Cotton in January, he changed his story to say he had seen Theng on Nov. 15. He said when he returned home on Nov. 17, he found her on the floor.

After agreeing to meet the investigator, Cotton never appeared. He was later arrested in Illinois.