IA - Mollie Tibbetts, 20, Poweshiek County, 19 Jul 2018 *Arrest* #37

[The Farm]

I'm glad they will have that evidence, but find it odd CR said that. He had been living and working in that area for 4 yrs. The field where he placed Mollie's body was only a few miles away from where he lived and worked. The roads there are well marked. There's no way he was lost and needed help to find his way back. Really strange, why would he say that? He's one odd duck. Going out on a limb here, but I wouldn't be surprised if they either discovered his intelligence is below average or he's very poorly educated. His attempts to concoct stories, excuses and alibis are really bad.

Like I said, me personally. I do not believe a word he says. He knows where he was and he knew how to get back to where he needed to go.

 

[kpm]

Sounds like a psychopath. Acted calm and normal after.
Mollie Tibbetts' suspected killer acted normally during search, coworker says

Right?

Police wanted people to report someone who was acting out of the norm

CR was able to maintain his normal self, which is scary

 

[Iam Nana!]

I'm glad they will have that evidence, but find it odd CR said that. He had been living and working in that area for 4 yrs. The field where he placed Mollie's body was only a few miles away from where he lived and worked. The roads there are well marked. There's no way he was lost and needed help to find his way back. Really strange, why would he say that? He's one odd duck. Going out on a limb here, but I wouldn't be surprised if they either discovered his intelligence is below average or he's very poorly educated. His attempts to concoct stories, excuses and alibis are really bad.

I read he has a middle school education.

 

[dreamwarrior66]

My cousins and I found one of my uncle's guns when I was young. We were debating whether or not to pull the trigger to see if it was loaded or not. Really stupid but kids are more curious than anything. I used to compete in shooting competitions. It was a hobby. But I've given up guns.

Right, but I’m wondering why he needed it on

She was left near where he worked, he’s familiar with the town so why would he have it on?

There's no street lights out where he took her. Literally zero street lights. He probably didn't drive at night much

 

[crumbcleaner]

Just my thoughts -

Since it seems they had absolutely no idea who had done this until they went through that video, and they couldn't find her until he led them there, it makes sense that they're now interested in a longer timeline. Now that they have his story, however dishonest, her body, the car, and items/evidence from where they found her, they have additional work to do and were essentially just beginning the day they found her. Interviewing other people who know him or may have witnessed or heard something and were afraid to talk, or unwittingly aided him, or even intentionally aided him, searching his home and the surrounding area (sounds like they've now done that and not sure why didn't happen Day 1 when he owned up), and who knows what else depending on what they found at the scene, and what else was revealed through autopsy.

I'm sure they're interested in whether or not she was transported to another location or locations before being taken to the cornfield. They know whether or not she was killed there or somewhere else. They may (hopefully) know what injuries were inflicted prior to the wounds that took her life and where (abduction site, in the vehicle, etc) and how long she'd been in the cornfield, in the event that she wasn't taken there that night.

Side note - I needed some science credits years ago for my degree program and I took an entomology class and one of the guest speakers during the semester was a forensic entomologist from the department. He's been an expert witness in a number of murder cases and what can be known by insect activity alone is astounding. (that's already been brought up I think) He worked on a case where the victim had been killed and moved across state lines and then left on a couch in a basement, staged to look like it all happened right there, and he was able to verify where the first crime likely was because insect activity on/in the body defied the staging and the species was not indigenous to this area. And that's just one area of forensics. So, whatever they found there in that cornfield and in the condition of her body, and perhaps his trunk or his home, may have given Mollie a very loud voice, even if other things were lost through the passage of time. I am interested to learn whether or not he took her to his home or that property, or spots close by that he may have used for other assaults. This was presumably a very bloody crime so any movement of her body and any blood on him would be very difficult for him to just wipe away. If she was bleeding in that trunk and he was moving her around, who knows what kind of information he stupidly and thankfully gave police.

I think this could have been a relatively quick crime where she ended up in the field soon after her abduction, or the cornfield was punctuation after other activity. If there aren't that many moving parts, maybe what they're now seeking is what was going on with him after the crime and what does that tell them. I shudder to think of what she endured, even if much of it was terror. I can't stand the sight of him and wish media would stop split screening her image with his. It's unfair to her and her family but it's always done.

Very informative, thank you!

 

[Betty P]

I have a feeling this thread will be locked soon due to the politics and CNN vs. Fox conversations going on. Little to actually do with MT or the case.

ETA: It is unfortunate to me that anyone is focusing on this. I really wish the politics would be left out, especially since this is the wish of MT's family.

JMO, some (not all) of the newer people to WS who came to discuss this case don't fully understand that regular members here rarely mention politics when it comes to discussing criminals and cases. It's rarely part of the discussion because people are focused on the crime, the victims, the evidence, the perps, judicial process, getting the word out on missing persons and cold cases, etc. When you spend any amount of time discussing and researching that, politics are pretty irrelevant. Believe it or not, it's possible to discuss victim's rights, human rights, etc. without getting into politics. Once you've participated in non-political discussions for a while, you prefer it that way. Politics can be discussed elsewhere on the internet and SM and a lot of us WS members do that. Just not here. Give it a try, you'll see.

ETA: Another thing to keep in mind is that, while discussing cases here, the victim's family and possibly the perps themselves may be reading what you're writing.

 

[jillycat]

According to CR's arrest warrant affidavit, CR used his cell phone to find his way back to Brooklyn from the corn field after his memory "block out". So, another piece of the digital trail that can tie him to the disposal site/crime scene.

I wonder if that's what he said or something they verified by the time of his arrest. How did he know to go there? It's hard to believe he just looked for a good cornfield spot in the dark and there it was.

 

[katydid23]

Random thoughts and JMOs...

- If she still had an earbud in, she probably was unconscious in the trunk as it would seem likely she would immediately yanked them from her ears when things got serious.

- Maybe the phone's last ping was close to WCs farm and then he inadvertently drove slightly out of range. This is maybe why they thought she was nearby but weren't able to quite find her.

- From what we know, my guess is he dumped everything related to her with her, probably turned off the phone or broke it, probably didn't notice the fitbit on her and booked it out of there. It just doesn't seem he took the time to be very careful, ya know?

----

Also, as an aside, late late last night I realized I had forgotten to roll the trash down the driveway. Normally not a big deal, I'd go out without a second thought but nope, last night I tucked my phone in my bra, waited next to the house door while the garage door went up, made sure the coast was clear AND made the dog come with me. Takes about 10 seconds to roll the trash down. Felt a little bit silly but you literally never know what could happen. Should the unthinkable ever happen, I will do my best to leave clues for my WS buddies.

I have taken a few more precautions as well. I feel like it is out of respect for Mollie, to learn something and make changes, in her honor. I sometimes walk the dog later than I really should. I have made a conscious effort to do it right after dinner, and not closer to 11, like I was doing for awhile. Why tempt fate?

And I always take my phone and my pepper spray when we walk after dark.

 

[MyBelle]

Right, but I’m wondering why he needed it on

She was left near where he worked, he’s familiar with the town so why would he have it on?

I think he lied to hide the fact that he was familiar with the area. For all we know, CR may have also worked for the farmer where her body was found.

 

[kpm]

My cousins and I found one of my uncle's guns when I was young. We were debating whether or not to pull the trigger to see if it was loaded or not. Really stupid but kids are more curious than anything. I used to compete in shooting competitions. It was a hobby. But I've given up guns.

There's no street lights out where he took her. Literally zero street lights. He probably didn't drive at night much

But we don’t know if it was still light out

If he took her immediately to the cornfield there may have been daylight

He took her to a spot very near where he lived and worked

Did he plot out the spot before hand?

 

[EaglesSpeical]

Damn, its s sobering realisation that her parents are having to plan her funeral.

I hope the funeral is private. I would rather not have the family and friends including Jack family be "on display" on MSM while they go through the heart wrenching process of the funeral and burial. JMO

 

[oviedo]

AUGUST 22, 2018 Authorities reveal tactics used to link Cristhian Rivera to the death of Mollie

This was posted in the media thread - very interesting interview.

 

[tigertales]

Really interesting stats complied from data on serial killings. Posted for reference as we consider if CR did this before or was a serial killer on the rise.

What data on 3,000 murderers and 10,000 victims tells us about serial killers

 

[Followfacts]

Was she abducted at location boundary st and middle st and 385th intersection area?or is that where the Malibu was seen circling and Mollie running through that area? Is the 1900 block 385th where the crime began? Abduction or is that where the digital info indicates physical demise. Did her death happen in the trunk at that location, digital spikes? Did he abduct knock her out , stab and SA her there and then she died in the trunk? He then took her to cornfield site and left her. I just believe it all happened in one area and in quick succession. Because of his admitted block out anger and rage and predatory build up of aggression stalking driving around following by car and foot blitz attack. Any thoughts about what happened 1900 block 385th. This area appears to be on satellite map isolated and few farm houses close. I think CR when he said he dragged her it was here 1900 block 385th and the carrying her over his shoulders was where he took her body into the cornfield. He did both but at different locations. Any thoughts??

 

[Hatfield]

I have my CHL. I just can't figure out how to carry when I run.

It is rather difficult. There are pretty good options though like the link below. Main thing is to research all the options and choose whatever you are most comfortable with.

Jogging Holster for Running and Other Outdoor Activities

 

[Al Hoffman]

Ok, so basically it’s going to come down to if they recovered the Fitbit to get the whole story.

Which MAY have been left with the body. But, LE did go back to the dairy farm worker housing where CR lived, yesterday afternoon with a search warrant. This after autopsy results, perhaps looking for murder weapon or who knows what else.

 

[Veracity]

@Sarah J. Scott
"We shouldn’t Idealize her? I think you could’ve gone without saying that. MOO"

I apologize for upsetting you. I was responding to someone who had said what Mollie "would have done," because she was "smart." My point was that people, no matter how smart they are, can react to stress and fear in different ways, and we do not always know them, or know ourselves, well enough to know what those reactions will be.

I completely agree with both opinions! I know from personal experience I was trained before I headed off to college to behave/react in a particular way and when the moment came I froze like an animal in headlights!

My parents and close friends were absolutely stunned I didn't react as I was taught. So I went through MORE training for years after what happened to me when I was 20. Fast forward to four yrs ago, I was in a tiny town. Dusk was fast approaching I was hopping out of my car after a dentist visit, reached in to get my purse from the passenger's seat and as I drew back I could feel cold steel against my cheek. It was a gun and at the same instance I heard a voice say turn around and don't look at me. I obeyed. I did the same thing I did the first time - I froze. He grabbed my purse and keys jumped in my vehicle and with the door open drove through my yard and off with everything I had. All I knew was he was a black man of medium height and skinny build.

Until what happened four years ago I didn't carry pepper spray. I honestly had begun to let me guard down. It had been so long and I foolishly thought I only had to be fearful of ONE MAN whom LE keeps me informed if he moves. I now know ALL FEMALES HAVE TO ALERT EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY. Our world is a minefield we have to watch our every step.

From what has been reported I, and I believe Mollie's friends and family, expect Mollie to have fought back. And the coroner's preliminary report offers the prospect she may have.

If different details emerge between now and the time CR's (or whoever HE is!) trial concludes I am going to just hold fast that she was TOTALLY INNOCENT and had a LEGITIMATE expectation to be SAFE in n BROOKLYN IA USA on July 18, 2018 and simply didn't realize EVIL can come upon us in an instant when we least expect it.

I hope and pray her friends and family will not torment themselves in the should have, could have maze. Trust me, let it go.

 

[rebel123]

LOL ! I give up....Tell us some more of your unpolitical opinions on Fox News or any other news outlet and get the thread shut down.....LOL !..... Scroll and roll, scroll and roll........

What are you wittering on about? Some members here said it was a great interview by the Fox presenter; I disagree, it was very unprofessional; that's the some of the political discussion. Then we have 'Statler and Waldorf', saying don't say this, don't say that etc, etc. Unreal.

 

[thesaint]

One thing I had to think a lot about, too: I have my Iowa permit and the sole thing holding me back from buying (after a ton of research & going into stores & checking them out) is I don't trust *myself* when I get too depressed. The RARE instances. I don't entirely trust I would give it to a friend and say hey, can you hold onto this a while? That's just me, for now. (Lol, no I'm not depressed as I write this, yes I carry a knife everywhere I go, etc.) Just saying it's a consideration esp. in light of the high number of suicides by firearms in the U.S. Sorry, carry on. .

Factors likely to increase risk of suicide for males:

Family history of suicide (e.g., Hemingway family tree and all their suicides).

Possession of a firearm in the home.

If they've ever worn crocs in public.

 

[jillycat]

Maybe LE only has definitive proof of the murder since he led them to her body and that is what they can charge him with / hang their hats on for now to get him off the streets and into jail and the legal system while they continue to investigate him.

LE may not have proof of actual stalking, abduction, SA, so they can't charge him on any of those crimes, and they only have his word to go on that he "blacked" or "blocked" out what happened between approaching her and killing her.

The other charges would just be in addition to first degree murder they've charged him with, and if convicted, he gets life in prison without parole, which I think is the maximum sentence under Iowa State Law anyway, so no additional charges needed really cuz they can already punish him to the full extent of the law. JMO of course

They have a responsibility to charge him with everything that they can prove that he did in this crime. I'm sure they will if other charges emerge in their case against him.