More than two years after the tragic death of 25-year-old Sabrina Lee Schnoor, a Minnesota court has delivered a sentence in a case that deeply unsettled the Owatonna community. On December 22, 2025, Jason Lee Horner, 41, was sentenced to 18 years in prison for second-degree murder and unlawful possession of a firearm in connection with Schnoor’s killing.
The case dates back to the night of May 30, 2023, when police were called around 10:01 p.m. to reports of a body found beneath the Interstate-35 bridge overpass near the 600 block of Florence Avenue in Owatonna. Officers arriving at the scene discovered Schnoor deceased. She was later confirmed to have died from a single gunshot wound to the mouth.
Investigators revealed that Schnoor had recently ended her relationship with Horner, whom she had previously accused of abuse. Court records show she agreed to meet him that evening because she believed he was facing prison time in an unrelated case. Authorities say the fatal shooting was partially captured on traffic camera footage.
Horner was arrested on June 4, 2023, at an apartment in Waseca without incident. According to court documents, he initially claimed Schnoor accidentally shot herself while handling a firearm and tripping. Prosecutors disputed that account, noting that Horner left the scene without calling 911. Records further indicate he later returned to the overpass, allegedly to retrieve cigarettes he said he had left behind.
Schnoor’s body was ultimately discovered by a friend who went looking for her after tracking her location through a mobile app, a detail that added another layer of heartbreak to the case.
In November 2025, a Steele County jury found Horner guilty, concluding a lengthy legal process marked by emotional testimony and detailed forensic evidence. The sentencing this week formally closed the case in court, though the loss continues to resonate for Schnoor’s loved ones.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison addressed the outcome in a statement, calling Horner’s actions “shocking and appalling” and emphasizing his office’s commitment to securing justice. He added that his thoughts and prayers remain with Sabrina Schnoor’s family and friends.
While the sentence brings accountability under the law, the case stands as a sobering reminder of the devastating consequences of domestic violence and the lasting impact such crimes leave on families and communities.