Cristhian Rivera, charged with murder in Mollie Tibbetts slaying, expected to appear in court

Rivera is being held in the Poweshiek County jail on the first-degree murder charge.

Cristhian Bahena Rivera (contributed)

Cristhian Bahena Rivera (contributed)

Charles Peckman, News Reporter

Cristhian Rivera, the 24-year-old suspected of killing University of Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts, is expected to appear in Poweshiek County Court today at 1 p.m. Rivera, who has been charged with first-degree murder, is being held in the Poweshiek County Jail on the charge. Up to 20 members of Tibbetts’ family are expected to attend Rivera’s initial court appearance.

In a press conference in Montezuma, Iowa, on Tuesday, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Richard Rahn said he believes Rivera is originally from Mexico — in the hours following the press conference, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and President Trump, among other high-ranking officials, condemned the immigration system.