Table of Biography
Mollie Tibbetts was a student at the University of Iowa. Mollie Tibbetts was murdered by Cristhian Bahena with stabbing wounds.
Early Life
Mollie Tibbetts was born Mollie Cecilia Tibbetts on May 8, 1998, in San Francisco, California, U.S. She was born to her parents Rob Tibbetts (father) and Laura Tibbetts (mother).
She went to Iowa with her mother and two siblings when her parents got divorced while she was in the second grade. Tibbetts was a resident of Brooklyn, Iowa, a tiny town about 70 miles (110 km) east of Des Moines, and a psychology major at the University of Iowa at the time of her disappearance.
Disappearance
Former cross-country runner Tibbetts headed out for a late-night jog on July 18, 2018, from her boyfriend’s Brooklyn home. Her family reported her missing after she failed to show up for work the following day.
She was last seen around 7:30 p.m. CDT. She had a brief phone conversation with her three-year lover just before she left for her jog, the police said. Her partner was 210 kilometers (130 miles) away in Dubuque, Iowa, where he had to travel for work.
Later that evening, he claimed, he received a Snapchat message from her that looked to show her inside.
Caption: Mollie Tibbetts’s news on her missing Source: 9Honey Nine
Investigation
Police in numerous states looked into hundreds of leads in the case over the ensuing weeks, including an unsubstantiated sighting at a truck stop in Kearney, Mollie Tibbetts but were unable to find Tibbetts. Over 2,300 tips were received, and over 500 interviews were held throughout the inquiry.
Likewise, the cause of death was given as “multiple sharp force injuries”. The mode of death was given as “homicide” by the Iowa State Medical Examiner during an autopsy on August 23.
Mollie Tibbetts – Suspect
At the time of the incident, 24-year-old Cristhian Bahena Rivera resided and worked in the remote Poweshiek County region where Tibbetts disappeared. Before working at Yarrabee Farms near Brooklyn, Iowa, in August 2014, he had previously worked at another farm. Moreover, Rivera used the name John Budd to identify himself and to obtain his money.
Caption: Mollie Tibbetts’s suspect in her murder
Source: ABC11
Furthermore, after receiving video from a neighboring security camera showing a Chevrolet Malibu traveling back and forth in the area where Tibbetts was jogging, police turned their attention to Rivera.
Police came up to him without incident after tying him to the automobile. They claimed that he admitted to abducting, killing, and disposing of her body after the crime. The Poweshiek County Sheriff’s Office claimed in a declaration that he brought them to the body in a remote area of a cornfield.
Immigration Status
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services claimed that none of its systems indicated Rivera “has any lawful immigration status.” The Lang family granted Rivera permission to reside rent-free on their property as part of his work. When questioned about Rivera’s legal status, Yarrabee Farms initially claimed that they had used the government E-Verify program.
After E-Verify reported that Yarrabee Farms was not enrolled in its program, Yarrabee Farms confirmed that Rivera had provided false information. And claimed that it was the Social Security Administration system it used.
Mollie Tibbetts – Legal Proceedings
Rivera was charged with first-degree murder on August 22, 2018. When the prosecutor identified him as a flight risk, the judge increased his bond from $1 million to $5 million. On August 24, Rivera switched lawyers. Family members of Rivera privately hired married couple Chad and Jennifer Frese, who work at the same law business, to represent him. Rivera entered a not-guilty plea on September 19.
Likewise, Rivera’s criminal trial started on May 17, 2021, following numerous delays brought on by other court cases and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Rivera was convicted of first-degree murder on May 28, 2021. He was to be detained without bond, the judge ruled.
Moreover, the required fee for Rivera was life in prison without the possibility of release. The death penalty is not applicable in Iowa. Likewise, Rivera was given a life sentence with no chance of release on August 30, 2021. He will complete his life sentence here in a maximum security facility.
Reactions
Memorials and Tributes
Her initials were placed on the squad shirts by Mollie Tibbetts’ younger brother and his football team as a tribute. The hashtag #MilesforMollie was used by some runners to draw attention to the safety and harassment issues that female runners face in light of her attack.
Moreover, the Mollie Movement, which promotes kindness between one another, was founded by her friends and quickly acquired popularity on social media. The maid of honor at their wedding would have been Mollie.
Caption: Mollie Tibbetts’s family crying at her funeral
Source: Vox
The politicization of Tibbetts’s death
Politicians used the case as justification for tougher immigration laws. Despite evidence suggesting undocumented immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than Americans who were born here, opponents of illegal immigration stressed that the suspect had entered the nation unlawfully.
The politicization of Tibbetts’s murder was dubbed misinformation by liberals. On August 15, as he was addressing a throng of supporters of President Donald Trump in Des Moines, Vice President Mike Pence brought up the situation and promised to continue providing “any federal support” to the case.
Likewise, the Tibbetts family stated in August 2018 after the body of Tibbetts was found, requesting time and isolation. Additionally, in response to Donald Trump Jr., Tibbetts’ father blasted as “heartless” and “despicable” the exploitation of his son’s passing for political benefit; he particularly condemned its use against immigrants.
Moreover, the Hispanic community is an Iowan group, according to Tibbetts’ father. The ideals they uphold are those of Iowans. They’re Iowans with better food, in my opinion. He condemned people who “appropriate Mollie’s soul in advancing views she believed were profoundly racist”.