Skip to main content
Tags: cristhian rivera | mollie tibbetts | murder | not guilty

Cristhian Rivera, Mollie Tibbetts Murder Suspect, Pleads Not Guilty

Cristhian Rivera, Mollie Tibbetts Murder Suspect, Pleads Not Guilty

Cristhian Rivera, 24, accused of killing University of Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts, looks to his attorney Allan Richards, as he makes his initial appearance at the Poweshiek County Courthouse in Montezuma, Iowa, on Aug. 22, 2018. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette/Pool via Reuters)

Wednesday, 19 September 2018 01:48 PM EDT

Cristhian Bahena Rivera, the suspect in the abduction and stabbing death of Mollie Tibbetts in Iowa has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder.

Rivera entered his plea Wednesday at the Poweshiek County Courthouse in Montezuma, Iowa.

Rivera, a farmhand, is charged in the killing of Tibbetts, a 20-year-old University of Iowa student who disappeared while out for a run July 18 in Brooklyn, Iowa.

Investigators recovered her body a month later in a cornfield. A medical examiner has said Tibbetts was stabbed to death.

Rivera is a Mexican national who has been accused of being in the country illegally. The 24-year-old worked at a dairy farm a few miles from where Tibbetts disappeared.

He waived his right to be tried within 90 days. Trial is set for April 16.

© Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Sign up for Newsmax’s Daily Newsletter

Receive breaking news and original analysis - sent right to your inbox.

(Optional for Local News)
Privacy: We never share your email address.

TheWire
Cristhian Bahena Rivera, the suspect in the abduction and stabbing death of Mollie Tibbetts in Iowa has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder.
cristhian rivera, mollie tibbetts, murder, not guilty
129
2018-48-19
Wednesday, 19 September 2018 01:48 PM
Newsmax Media, Inc.
Join the Newsmax Community
Read and Post Comments
Please review Community Guidelines before posting a comment.
 

Interest-Based Advertising | Do not sell or share my personal information

Newsmax, Moneynews, Newsmax Health, and Independent. American. are registered trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc. Newsmax TV, and Newsmax World are trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc.

NEWSMAX.COM
America's News Page
© 2025 Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Download the Newsmax App
NEWSMAX.COM
America's News Page
© 2025 Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved