OWATONNA, MN – Sabrina Lee Schnoor’s life was cut short in a brutal act of violence that has left her loved ones grappling with grief and unanswered questions. The 25-year-old woman, remembered by family as a radiant and caring soul, died last spring after her ex-boyfriend shot her and abandoned her under an overpass.
Authorities discovered Schnoor’s body on the night of May 30, 2023, beneath the Interstate 35 overpass near train tracks in Owatonna, a community around 60 miles south of Minneapolis. She had suffered a fatal gunshot wound delivered at close range, a detail that painted a harrowing picture for investigators and those who knew her.
Sabrina Schnoor’s family describes her as a person who embraced life and spread kindness wherever she went. Friends recall her ready smile and her tendency to put others ahead of herself. That legacy now stands in stark contrast to her final moments, which prosecutors detailed as particularly violent and callous.
According to court documents, Schnoor had recently ended her relationship with Jason Lee Horner, 41, citing concerns about abusive behavior. On the night of her death, surveillance footage captured the pair together at a local convenience store. After leaving the store shortly after 9:30 p.m., they walked toward the train tracks and the overpass. Horner was seen returning alone about an hour later.
In the hours leading to her death, Schnoor used the Life360 app to share her location with friends, a decision that ultimately enabled those close to her to find her when they could no longer reach her. It was her friends, not law enforcement, who first followed the digital trail to her body the next day.
Investigators described the crime scene as particularly gruesome, further compounding the shock and sadness for Schnoor’s family. Forensic evidence indicated the attack had been deliberate, with the fatal wound causing devastating injuries.
The search for Horner lasted nearly a week after a warrant was issued for his arrest. Authorities finally apprehended him following a multi-agency effort. Throughout the trial, prosecutors argued that Horner’s actions were not only cruel but had deprived Schnoor’s community of a beloved daughter, granddaughter, and friend.
A jury convicted Horner of second-degree murder and unlawful possession of a firearm, leading to a sentence of 18 years in prison. The verdict and sentencing, while bringing some measure of justice, could not ease the enduring pain for those who mourn Sabrina.
During the sentencing hearing, family members spoke through tears, sharing memories and expressing their anguish over the loss. Schnoor’s grandmother described her as someone who “loved everybody,” while other relatives voiced their sorrow and anger at the man responsible for her death.
Community members who knew Schnoor continue to honor her memory, holding vigils and sharing stories about her compassion and warmth. For her loved ones, the tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the lasting impact of domestic violence and the preciousness of every life.
As the legal proceedings conclude, Sabrina Schnoor’s family and friends carry on, committed to preserving her legacy and seeking comfort in their memories of her kindness and spirit. Horner remains in custody, set to serve his sentence as the community mourns the loss of a young woman taken too soon.