Found Deceased IA - Mollie Tibbetts, 20, Poweshiek County, 19 Jul 2018 *Arrest* #46

[EmmaRose]

Here is the part of yesterday’s drive where I didn’t get to see what I wanted to see. To get from 38th Ave to the area around Guernsey it’s always seemed most likely to me that CR would travel south on 200th. After turning south onto 200th from 385th Ave the first mile was very well maintained and obviously heavily traveled.

That brings me to the intersection of 200th and Old 6 Rd - the next quarter mile or so of 200th looked really messy. Narrow low maintenance gravel, Low lying, very wet with lots of standing water. I think I could have gone that way and been okay, but I thought it best to wait for another (dry) day. I took Old 6 Rd to Hwy 21 instead which also goes south to the Guernsey area.

For what it’s worth, from the S curve on the 1900 block of 385th to the field where Mollie’s body was recovered via 200th would have taken me probably 25 minutes.

Boy, thats a straight shot down to where he hid Molly. Guess when you're "blacked/blocked" out you need an easy road to drive .... No curves, right, Rivera??? Poor, poor Molly. All she wanted to do was have a run.

 

[tmar]

Thank you so much for the visual. Your photo brought chills to my spine thinking about how helpless Molly must have felt in such a lonely spot way out there with someone after her. Was she running in the same direction as you were driving?
I just did not picture the area being as isolated as your photo shows it to be. And who would have suspected such evil would be lurking there? Frightening thought.

Perhaps people locally, in these isolated areas, will think twice, when going for a run.
After following a few Websleuths cases, I have changed my attitude, in where I take walks.
Previously, along rivers, no one around, and lovely isolated beaches and country areas.
No more.
My poor dog and I, now walk around our block, several times and we even avoid the little isolated park, at the end of the street.
I place my dog, into the car, and after shopping, we walk near the many shops, with loads of people.
Gone are the days, when I picked up shells, and lovely rocks, out in the wilderness.

 

[The Farm]

Sad isn't it tmar? You just never know. I think of those two young girls in Indiana, Abby & Libby who were out for a walk, were killed and they still have not found the the killer. Small somewhat rural area also.

 

[Bravo]

Trekz Titanium
I saw these featured on GMA. Great idea for runners who can hear their music and what's in their surroundings.

 

[Mica]

Perhaps people locally, in these isolated areas, will think twice, when going for a run.
After following a few Websleuths cases, I have changed my attitude, in where I take walks.
Previously, along rivers, no one around, and lovely isolated beaches and country areas.
No more.
My poor dog and I, now walk around our block, several times and we even avoid the little isolated park, at the end of the street.
I place my dog, into the car, and after shopping, we walk near the many shops, with loads of people.
Gone are the days, when I picked up shells, and lovely rocks, out in the wilderness.

I’ve changed my walking route, too. It’s a shame what its become, but we need to be safe.

 

[SharonNeedles]

Realistically I don’t think the risk has increased. There’s always been danger, it’s just a matter of being at the wrong place and the wrong time. Being alone in an isolated area has never been truly safe, not even for males.

 

[ACG2x]

That ain’t a gonna happen.

He's more likely to be found not guilty than he is deported. If he's deported, there is no control over how he serves his sentence. The only way to ensure the killer stays locked up where he belongs is to place him in a US prison. Yes taxpayers will foot the bill but it's a small price to pay to get that assurance.

 

[SteveP]

This doesn't pertain to Mollie, but to another victim's Fitbit data helping to lead to an arrest in her murder. May be quite interesting what we may eventually learn that Mollie's Fitbit data told LE.

How Fitbit data helped lead to 90-year-old stepdad's arrest in slashing death

 

[PommyMommy]

This doesn't pertain to Mollie, but to another victim's Fitbit data helping to lead to an arrest in her murder. May be quite interesting what we may eventually learn that Mollie's Fitbit data told LE.

How Fitbit data helped lead to 90-year-old stepdad's arrest in slashing death

That's encouraging, and it was the Alta HR. I don't remember now - was it ever determined which model Mollie had?

From the article:
The data showed a significant spike in her heart rate Sept. 8 at 3:20 p.m., followed by a rapid slowing, the document said. The Fitbit stopped registering heart rate data that day at 3:28 p.m.

And another case, although it doesn't specify the model:
Connie Dabate's Fitbit indicated that her last movements were at 10:05 a.m. the day she died, nearly an hour after Richard Dabate told police she had been killed.
All Evidence Turned Over As Fitbit Murder Case Moves Toward Trial

MOO

 

[Mica]

That's encouraging, and it was the Alta HR. I don't remember now - was it ever determined which model Mollie had?

From the article:
The data showed a significant spike in her heart rate Sept. 8 at 3:20 p.m., followed by a rapid slowing, the document said. The Fitbit stopped registering heart rate data that day at 3:28 p.m.

And another case, although it doesn't specify the model:
Connie Dabate's Fitbit indicated that her last movements were at 10:05 a.m. the day she died, nearly an hour after Richard Dabate told police she had been killed.
All Evidence Turned Over As Fitbit Murder Case Moves Toward Trial

MOO

I one of the past news videos about Mollie they showed a FitBit Alta. IIRC, I screened the shot and posted it here.

 

[tmar]

Sad isn't it tmar? You just never know. I think of those two young girls in Indiana, Abby & Libby who were out for a walk, were killed and they still have not found the the killer. Small somewhat rural area also.

Yes, I was following that case, and hope it does retFar different when I was young, all the kids, had so much fun out in the paddocks: catching yabbies, mushroom hunting, bird watching, bike riding etc.

Here where I live, now, here are no empty blocks anywhere in sight.
When young, I can't believe the many isolated places, I went with my friends, and are here, to tell the tales.
However one time a friend and I, on push bikes, drove along lonely roads, out in the back streets.
2 guys, stopped their car, just in front of me.
I was first in position.
My friend, double backed, and drove away.
One guy pointed a gun, at me, and asked questions.
I was so frightened, now alone.
After a little while, the other guy, said "Leave her alone. She is terrified".
The first guy laughed, and squirted the water gun, in my face.
I never spoke to my friend again, nor rode bikes, on any adventures.

 

[tmar]

This doesn't pertain to Mollie, but to another victim's Fitbit data helping to lead to an arrest in her murder. May be quite interesting what we may eventually learn that Mollie's Fitbit data told LE.

How Fitbit data helped lead to 90-year-old stepdad's arrest in slashing death

Wow, that was great news with the fitbit helping to solve the case.
90 years old: who would believe this.
<modsnipped off topic>

 

[PommyMommy]

Mollie Tibbetts' family establishes memorial fund at UI Children's Hospital
A memorial fund in the name of slain University of Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts will bolster an aggressive fundraising campaign to help construct the UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital and run programs in it.

Tibbetts’ family members established the fund to benefit child and adolescent psychiatry at the hospital. As of Monday, more than 270 people had given more than $29,500 and donations still can be made to the fund.

Mollie Tibbetts’ Family Establishes Memorial Fund at Univ. of Iowa Children’s Hospital
Mollie’s mother Laura Calderwood said, “We are incredibly thankful to everyone who has contributed to Mollie’s fund. Mollie was pursuing her dream of becoming a child psychologist at the UI. She was incredibly generous in her life, so it is fitting that her name will live on by benefiting others.”

University of Iowa Vice President of Student Life Melissa Shivers said, “Mollie gave back in many ways as a member of the university community, including participating in Dance Marathon and helping patients at UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital. We are thankful to Mollie’s family for allowing us to honor her through this fund.”

 

[tmar]

That's encouraging, and it was the Alta HR. I don't remember now - was it ever determined which model Mollie had?

From the article:
The data showed a significant spike in her heart rate Sept. 8 at 3:20 p.m., followed by a rapid slowing, the document said. The Fitbit stopped registering heart rate data that day at 3:28 p.m.

And another case, although it doesn't specify the model:
Connie Dabate's Fitbit indicated that her last movements were at 10:05 a.m. the day she died, nearly an hour after Richard Dabate told police she had been killed.
All Evidence Turned Over As Fitbit Murder Case Moves Toward Trial

MOO

With CCTV, GPS, mobile phones, fitbits, murders aren't haven't too much success.
Well, I am pleased, I wore my fitbit, when walking my dog today.
With info available, fitbits on the wrist, may be removed,destroyed by the perpetrators, before they commit murders.
Mine sits on a elastic band, around my waist, as am often gardening, and on the wrist, would be a problem.

 

[MistyWaters]

This doesn't pertain to Mollie, but to another victim's Fitbit data helping to lead to an arrest in her murder. May be quite interesting what we may eventually learn that Mollie's Fitbit data told LE.

How Fitbit data helped lead to 90-year-old stepdad's arrest in slashing death

That’s very interesting!

I notice the very last paragraph of the report from your link mentions this:
“Also, when Iowa jogger Mollie Tibbetts vanished this summer, investigators said they were looking into what information could be gathered from her Fitbit. The data was not ultimately used in making an arrest in her killing.”

I suppose it could be said because CR confessed, Fitbit data wasn’t required to be used. During the initial Press Conference Q&A, I couldn’t hear the actual question asked but Rahn replied that technology was definitely important evidence to the case, or something like that. I wondered if the Q pertained to the Fitbit. Does anyone happen to remember what I’m referring to?

 

[PommyMommy]

https://www.kcci.com/article/hundreds-gather-for-run-to-honor-mollie-tibbetts/23544611
Several hundred runners gathered in the hometown of slain Iowa college student Mollie Tibbetts over the weekend to honor her memory with a run.

The Des Moines Register reports the run on Sunday in the east-central Iowa town of Brooklyn helped raise more than $20,000 for the University of Iowa Children's Hospital.

 

[Twistinginthewind]

In the arrest press conference (around 13 minutes into the 15 minute video at link below), the question about her fitbit data was asked and answered as follows:

Question from Press: “You talked so much about the fit bit. Was that helpful at all?”

Answer from Agent Rahn: “I can tell you that as we said previously, that we examined her digital footprint, and certainly that played a role in our investigation.”

It sounded like the surveillance video was more significant, though; when Agent Rahn was asked whether if the video hadn't been available whether Mollie might not have been found, his response was that the video was "definitely a critical piece of information in our investigation."

Note that LE has not ever stated that CR "confessed" to killing Mollie, just that he saw her running, approached her, she said she would call the police, and he "blocked out" what happened next, "coming to" with her earbuds in his lap and realizing she was in the trunk of his car, then he drug her into the cornfield, and led LE to that location.

WATCH: Mollie Tibbetts Police Press Conference [VIDEO] | Heavy.com

 

[TL4S]

A couple questions for anyone who might understand the technology better.

1) From what I've gathered, Mollie's phone and Fitbit would have both had to be on in order for the Fitbit info to have downloaded into the cloud where LE could have accessed it without the phone or Fitbit in hand. Is that correct?

2) Would her phone's GPS locator history not have been stored in the cloud? If it was, LE would have found her early on, right?

3) If her Fitbit recorded TOD at 8:28pm, would the homicide affidavit list 7:45pm as the early end of the time frame because that's when he first approached her, or put her in his trunk, or inflicted fatal injuries? Thoughts?

I also wonder if LE ever shared with her family that her Fitbit data indicated she likely died, if they did indeed have that kind of data.

 

[MistyWaters]

In the arrest press conference (around 13 minutes into the 15 minute video at link below), the question about her fitbit data was asked and answered as follows:

Question from Press: “You talked so much about the fit bit. Was that helpful at all?”

Answer from Agent Rahn: “I can tell you that as we said previously, that we examined her digital footprint, and certainly that played a role in our investigation.”

It sounded like the surveillance video was more significant, though; when Agent Rahn was asked whether if the video hadn't been available whether Mollie might not have been found, his response was that the video was "definitely a critical piece of information in our investigation."

Note that LE has not ever stated that CR "confessed" to killing Mollie, just that he saw her running, approached her, she said she would call the police, and he "blocked out" what happened next, "coming to" with her earbuds in his lap and realizing she was in the trunk of his car, then he drug her into the cornfield, and led LE to that location.

WATCH: Mollie Tibbetts Police Press Conference [VIDEO] | Heavy.com

Thanks very much for finding that!

And yes, you’re right, “confessed” was just my writing meaning he incriminated himself by his own admissions and led LE to the body, adequate to support the probable cause for first degree murder charges.

 

[Quill]

Trekz Titanium
I saw these featured on GMA. Great idea for runners who can hear their music and what's in their surroundings.

I have these. They are awesome.