UPDATE: Police arrest Cristhian Rivera in connection with Mollie Tibbetts murder
Authorities found a body on early Tuesday morning in Iowa and although they’ve yet to confirm the identity, it’s likely of missing University of Iowa student, Mollie Tibbetts. A local pig farmer who was questioned by authorities during the search for Mollie lives near the area investigators are currently combing through, but so far, no one has been publicly named a suspect.
KCCI reports that authorities blocked off rural roads early Tuesday morning, between Guersney and Deep River, Iowa, at the intersection of 460th Street and Highway 21, south of Interstate 20. As of Tuesday afternoon, authorities were still in the area, deep into the woods.
A state Medical Examiner’s truck arrived to area shortly after the roads were blocked off. Division of Criminal Investigation officials are expected to hold a press conference today at 4 p.m., which will reportedly include “significant details.”
As CrimeOnline previously reported, pig farmer Wayne Cheney, 56, has been questioned by investigators several times about 20-year-old Mollie’s disappearance. The first round of questioning for the farmer occurred on July 26, days before authorities searched an area close to a hog farm between Guernsey and Deep River on Thursday. Mollie disappeared a week prior, on July 18, from Brooklyn, Iowa, around 20 miles from Cheney’s residence.
“I don’t know who those two were but they took me down to the fire station Tuesday and questioned me for two hours,” Cheney told WHO13. “I don’t remember what they asked me.”
Cheney was referring to investigators who arrived at his doorstep and questioned him about Mollie’s disappearance.
“I just thought it was a waste of time but oh well,” Cheney retorted.
After investigators took Cheney to local fire station to question him, they reportedly searched his cellphone, garage, and his home, according to FOX.
On August 3, an FBI agent showed up on the doorstep Wayne Cheney’s Deep River home again. The agent stayed around 10 minutes before leaving.
Cheney later told a FOX News reporter that he didn’t want to discuss the incident but said he thought “some guy” had her.
Court documents indicate that Cheney has criminal convictions for stalking his former girlfriend, harassment, and interference with official acts.
Authorities never named Cheney a suspect in Mollie’s disappearance. Police announced the arrest of Cristhian Rivera Tuesday afternoon in connection with Mollie’s death.
Check back with CrimeOnline as additional details become available. This post has been updated with links to the latest developments.
[Feature Photo: Mollie Tibbetts/Handout]
