SEATTLE — A former Bothell City Council member is charged with murder for allegedly killing a 20-year-old woman inside her home between April 28-30, according to the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office.
James Gregory McNeal, 58, is charged with one count of second-degree murder. He is suspected of killing Liliya Guyvoronsky, known by friends and loved ones as "Lily." McNeal remains in jail and his next hearing is Tuesday, May 14. He failed to appear in court earlier this week and bail was not set, however the state is requesting bail to be set at $3 million.
According to charging documents, McNeal called an attorney on April 30 and the attorney then called police to report a homicide inside a home near the 4600 block of South Orchard Street in Seattle.
When police arrived, McNeal exited the home and was covered in both fresh and dried blood on his clothing with several cuts to his wrist, documents state. He was taken to a hospital for medical treatment.
When police entered the home on April 30, Lily was found unclothed in her bed. Investigators believe she was strangled to death and had been dead for at least 24 hours. Inside her home, police found handwritten notes reminding herself not to have contact with McNeal and described him as both mentally and emotionally abusive, according to documents.
Police found blood stains on the carpet in the bedroom, on a pillowcase and on the bed's headboard, however, Lily did not have injuries that would have resulted in blood loss, charging documents state.
McNeal had been dating Lily "off and on" for several months, after meeting when she was working as a stripper, and was financially supporting her by providing about $10,000 per month, documents state.
Lily's mother told police that on April 27, there had been a "big fight" over money and the couple broke up; Lily described McNeal having thrown an "annoying tantrum" and trying to punish and control her, documents state. Text messages to family members describe this behavior as a frequent pattern in their relationship.
The King County Medical Examiner's Office is investigating an official cause of death.
McNeal served two terms as a Bothell City Council member and lost his re-election bid in 2023. Video on Friday shows Seattle Police Department SWAT Team members at McNeal's home.