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Suspect Cristhian Bahena Rivera faces first-degree murder charges of Mollie Tibbetts

 

An arrest has been made in the death of Mollie Tibbets, a 20-year-old who went missing more than a month ago in her hometown of Brooklyn, Iowa.

Cristhian Bahena Rivera, 24, was arrested and charged Tuesday with first-degree murder in connection with the death the University of Iowa student who has been missing since July 18. Rivera led investigators to her body in a cornfield in rural Poweshiek County, investigators said Tuesday during a news conference.

Investigators first questioned Rivera on Monday, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Rick Rahn said during the news conference.

Rivera, an undocumented immigrant who had been living in the area for the past several years, was seen on video near the east side of Brooklyn as Tibbetts jogged on July 18.

    

Rivera told investigators he made contact with a woman who was running in Brooklyn and pursued her in his vehicle in an area east of Brooklyn, criminal complaints state.

Rivera told investigators he parked his car, got out and ran behind and alongside her, complaints state.

When Tibbetts grabbed her phone and said she was calling the police, Rivera told investigators he panicked and got mad, criminal complaints state. Rivera described Tibbetts outfit and other details that were found at the area her body was found, the criminal complaint states.

Rivera faces a charge of first-degree murder, punishable by a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole. The case will be prosecuted by the Iowa Attorney General’s Area Prosecutors team, Rahn said.

ARREST WARRANT