Twenty-four year old Cristihian Bahena Rivera, an illegal alien living in Iowa, has been arrested and charged with the first-degree murder of college student Mollie Tibbetts. Local law enforcement authorities announced the charge Tuesday afternoon and said Rivera is being held on a federal immigration detainer.
First degree murder charged in Mollie Tibbetts disappearance. 24-year-old Cristihian Bahena Rivera, 24. Rivera lives in Poweshiek Co. Authorities confirm "he is an illegal alien." pic.twitter.com/W00podixui
— KWWL (@KWWL) August 21, 2018
Charges were filed in Poweshiek County District court today. Investigators can
— KWWL (@KWWL) August 21, 2018
confirm Mr. Rivera is an "illegal alien" for 4-7 years.
Investigators believe Mr. Rivera is from Mexico. They say he has seen Mollie running before.
— KWWL (@KWWL) August 21, 2018
According to investigators, Rivera watched Tibbetts while she was running. After circling around multiple times watching her, Rivera interfaced with Tibbetts and ran along side her. When she told him to leave her alone and pulled out her phone call the police, Rivera says she took off. He chased her, says he "blacked out," and then took her body to the location where she was found yesterday by law enforcement authorities. After an interview, Rivera led law enforcement to her body in a corn field. Rivera "kept to himself" in the community and was working in the area illegally.
Investigators came across security cameras -- able to identify vehicle that belonged to Mr. Rivera. Black Malibu. Able to track his pattern and routes. Police found Mollie running on this video. Able to determine he was one of last to see Mollie.
— KWWL (@KWWL) August 21, 2018
Interview with Mr. Rivera today, said he sees Mollie running, approached her, and he ran alongside of her and behind her. Mollie grabbed phone said she would call police, he chased her down, then he says he blacks out and comes to an intersection where he placed Mollie.
— KWWL (@KWWL) August 21, 2018
Mollie was found at 385th street just outside of Brooklyn. She was found in corn field, corn stalks placed on top her.
— KWWL (@KWWL) August 21, 2018
Investigation is ongoing and will continue to look at people and collect facts. Mr. Rivera only one charged today with first-degree murder.
— KWWL (@KWWL) August 21, 2018
An autopsy will conducted on Tibbett's body in the coming days.