A Minnesota man who admitted to fatally shooting his former girlfriend has been sentenced to more than three decades behind bars.
Sentence for Murder of Ex‑Girlfriend
Craig Hameister, 45, was sentenced on Monday to 415 months in prison — about 34½ years — for the murder of his ex‑girlfriend, 36‑year‑old Melissa Hunt. The sentence was handed down at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in St. Cloud, and Hameister received credit for 327 days already served. A judge also ordered him to pay $10,134.97 in restitution.
What Happened in the Shooting
On June 18, 2025, Hunt was shot in the face by Hameister at a boat launch in Kellogg, Minnesota. Despite her injuries, Hunt managed to drive herself to a nearby home where first responders found her with severe facial trauma — missing several teeth and part of her jaw. She told paramedics that Hameister “hit her with a stick,” but she later died at the hospital.
Police Search and Arrest
When police began searching for Hameister, they located his truck at a residence in Chatfield, Minnesota. Residents there told officers that Hameister had been at the home earlier and seemed “very frantic,” saying only, “something bad happened.”
Law enforcement eventually found Hameister hiding up in a tree on the property. A 9 mm handgun — the weapon used in the shooting — was recovered at the base of the tree.
Guilty Plea and Charges
Hameister was initially charged with two counts of second‑degree murder — one with intent and one without — along with manslaughter. In March, he pleaded guilty to second‑degree intentional murder, openly stating to the court, “I shot Melissa Hunt in the face.” He also admitted that he intended to kill her.
His prison term reflects the seriousness of the crime and ensures he will remain incarcerated for many years.
