Shivangi Sinha
In July 2018, authorities were alerted when 20-year-old Mollie Tibbetts vanished after going out for a jog in Brooklyn, Iowa. When she didn’t return home, an extensive search effort was quickly launched. About a month later, investigators named Cristhian Rivera as their primary suspect. This development drew national attention due to his undocumented status as a Mexican immigrant. NBC’s ‘Dateline’ episode titled ‘The Last Mile’ explores the case in-depth, focusing on the evidence police gathered to pursue charges against Rivera.
Surveillance Footage Led to Cristhian Rivera’s Arrest in a Murder Case
Cristhian Bahena Rivera was born in El Guayabillo, a small community in Guerrero, Mexico, and came from humble beginnings. At just 17, he made the journey to the US in search of better opportunities and eventually settled near Brooklyn, Iowa. Although he lacked legal immigration status, he secured work on local farms, using the alias “John Budd” to receive wages and operate under that identity. In August 2014, he began working at Yarrabee Farms and appeared to be focused on earning a living for himself.
On July 18, 2018, Mollie Cecilia Tibbetts, a University of Iowa student, went out for an evening jog and was last seen around 7:30 pm. When she failed to show up for work the following day, her family grew worried and promptly reported her missing. This triggered an extensive search effort across the area. The first major breakthrough came when investigators obtained surveillance footage from a nearby home, which showed Mollie jogging—and repeatedly captured a black Chevy Malibu circling the area. This vehicle was eventually traced back to Rivera. Upon questioning, he led authorities to a cornfield where Mollie’s remains were discovered.
According to investigators, when Rivera was initially questioned, he repeatedly denied having any knowledge about Mollie’s disappearance. However, authorities claimed that during further interrogation, he admitted to jogging alongside her and said that when she threatened to call the police, an alleged confrontation occurred. Rivera allegedly told them he couldn’t recall what happened next but later realized Mollie’s body was in the trunk of his car. He then allegedly transported her remains to a cornfield and buried her. Forensic evidence, including traces of Mollie’s blood, was found in the trunk of his vehicle. On August 22, 2018, he was charged with first-degree murder, and his bail was set at $5 million due to concerns he might flee.
Cristhian Rivera Gave a Contrasting Account of the Incident During His Trial
In September 2018, Cristhian Rivera pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. The case drew significant national media attention, in part due to the political climate and Rivera’s status as an undocumented immigrant. It became a major talking point in broader immigration debates. His trial faced multiple delays—some of which were due to the COVID-19 pandemic—and did not begin until May 17, 2021. When the trial finally commenced, Rivera presented a version of events that differed from what investigators had previously reported. He claimed that on the night Mollie Tibbetts disappeared, he had been taking a shower when two masked men, one with a gun and the other with a knife, allegedly forced their way into his trailer.
Rivera further claimed that the two masked men had threatened him at gunpoint and forced him to drive them to the rural location where Mollie’s remains were later discovered. According to his testimony, the men exited the car at that spot, and he then heard the trunk being opened and closed before they fled the scene. He said that it was only afterward that he found Mollie’s body in the trunk. Rivera said he panicked and decided to move her body into the cornfield, where he covered it with corn stalks. He also testified that the confession he had given to police was false and made under duress, alleging that he was afraid the two men would return to harm his daughter and his former partner.
Cristhian Rivera is Serving a Life Sentence Today
Cristhian Rivera was ultimately convicted of first-degree murder and held without bond. In August 2021, he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. In October 2023, he filed an appeal requesting a new trial, claiming that new evidence had emerged and that his constitutional rights had been violated during the original proceedings. However, the Iowa Court of Appeals rejected his appeal and upheld the conviction. As of the latest reports, Rivera is serving his life sentence at the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison, Iowa. The details of his custody are not publicly available.
Read More: Mollie Tibbetts’ Parents and Ex-Boyfriend: Where Are They Now?
