Illegal Immigrant Arrested In Murder Of Molly Tibbetts

Iowa authorities say they have arrested an illegal immigrant in the death of University of Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts.                                                    

24 year old Cristhian Bathena Rivera led detectives to her body in rural Poweshiek County.  The 20 year old Tibbetts was reported missing four weeks ago after going out for a jog near Brooklyn, Iowa

Rivera told authorities he dumped her body in a cornfield after he accosted her during her July 18 run. Investigators say she threatened to call police if he didn't leave her alone.   Her body was found in the field and was covered with cornstalks.

Rivera is charged with first-degree murder.   Authorities say Rivera was living in the Poweshiek County area and is now being held on a federal immigration detainer.  It's believed he was in the area for four to seven years.

Investigators said they used surveillance footage to track down Rivera. The video showed Tibbetts jogging in her hometown of Brooklyn and also showed Rivera's car. She was last seen around 7:30 p.m. on July 18. 



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