Southern Minnesota Man Charged In Girlfriend Death

NEW ULM (AP) -- A southern Minnesota man is charged with killing his 22-year-old girlfriend whose dismembered remains were found in a burning minivan near Sleepy Eye last week.

26-year-old Miguel Angel Vasquez of Springfield was charged Friday with second-degree murder in the death of Amber Lechuga.

His unconditional bail was set at $2 million.

According to the complaint, Vasquez called 911 on September 25th to report an auto accident and assault south of Sleepy Eye.

When police arrived they found Vasquez wearing only socks and smelling of gasoline, and the minivan engulfed in flames.

Vasquez told police another driver had hit his vehicle from behind and then struck him in the back of the head.

Police found Lechuga's remains in the van.

Her head was found in the nearby Cottonwood River.