What to Know
- Mollie Tibbetts vanished July 28 when she went out for her regular evening run near the Iowa college she attends
- A man from Mexico living in the U.S. illegally was arrested in the case Tuesday and authorities say he led them to her body
- The medical examiner is expected to conduct an autopsy Wednesday to determine how Tibbetts died
The family of an Iowa college student who was allegedly kidnapped and murdered while jogging is asking for privacy and time to process the "devastating loss."
Cristhian Bahena Rivera is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Mollie Tibbetts, who disappeared July 18 from Brooklyn, Iowa. He's set to appear at the Poweshiek County Courthouse in Montezuma.
In a statement Wednesday, Tibbetts' family said their "hearts are broken."
"On behalf of Mollie's entire family, we thank all of those from around the world who have sent their thoughts and prayers for our girl," they wrote. "At this time, our family asks that we be allowed the time to process our devastating loss and share our grief in private."
A criminal complaint alleges Rivera followed Tibbetts while she was out for a run, abducted and killed her, and dumped her body in a cornfield. Investigators say Rivera led them to a body believed to be Tibbetts early Tuesday.
An autopsy is scheduled Wednesday by the state medical examiner to determine the cause of death.
Local
Court records don't list an attorney for Rivera, who is jailed on a $1 million cash-only bond.
