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FOLEY — A June 27 hearing is set for a man accused of strangling a Sauk Rapids woman to death in August.

Christopher Lee Neal, 45, of Aurora, faces two charges of second-degree murder and two counts of theft, according to Benton County court records.

Neal is accused of killing Victoria Gamble, 38, of Sauk Rapids on Aug. 12, 2024.

Neal is being held in Aitkin County Jail on unrelated charges. Benton County is waiting to hear when Neal while be transferred into their custody, Benton County Sheriff Troy Heck told St. Cloud LIVE Friday morning, May 16.

Investigators say Neal offered to drive Gamble home from a bar during the early hours of Aug. 12, 2024, according to court records. Gamble was found dead in her apartment, on 10th Avenue Northeast in Sauk Rapids, Benton County, later that day.

A week later, on Aug. 19, Neal was arrested in Louisiana with Gamble’s black 2016 Chevy Equinox on an existing Aitkin County, Minnesota, warrant. While in custody, Neal reportedly admitted to stealing Gamble's car when he took her keys from the counter, according to the criminal complaint.

At the time Neal met Gamble, he was out on bail from another strangulation case, according to court documents.

The Benton County Attorney’s Office charged Neal with four felonies: second-degree murder with intent — not premeditated; second-degree murder without intent while committing a felony; and two counts of theft — for taking a car without permission and for taking property or services worth $1,001 to $5,000, according to court records.

Each murder charge carries a maximum sentence of 40 years. Each theft charge carries a maximum sentence of five years and/or $10,000 fine.

Neal's contested omnibus hearing is Friday, June 27.

Correction: Christopher Lee Neal is still in Aitkin County Jail and is waiting to be transferred into Benton County's custody. That detail was incorrect in an earlier version of this story. It has been corrected.