Iowa jogger Mollie Tibbetts was killed from 'multiple sharp force injuries': Autopsy

Mollie Tibbetts, 20, vanished on a jog in July. Her body was found Tuesday.

ByEmily Shapiro
August 23, 2018, 3:46 PM

Slain Iowa jogger Mollie Tibbetts died from "multiple sharp force injuries" according to the preliminary results of her autopsy, officials said Thursday.

Tibbetts, a 20-year-old rising sophomore at the University of Iowa, disappeared the evening of July 18 while jogging in the rural farming town of Brooklyn, a close-knit community of about 1,500 residents.

Mollie Tibbetts, 20, went missing while out for a run in Brooklyn, Iowa, on Wednesday, July 18, 2018.
Mollie Tibbetts, 20, went missing while out for a run in Brooklyn, Iowa, on Wednesday, July 18, 2018.
Poweshiek County Sheriff's Office
PHOTO: Mollie Tibbetts is pictured in a photo posted to Facebook, July 20, 2018.
Mollie Tibbetts is pictured in a photo posted to Facebook, July 20, 2018.
Facebook

Her alleged killer, 24-year-old Cristhian Rivera, led investigators to the college student's body in a farm field on Tuesday, according to authorities.

The manner of death was ruled homicide, the Iowa Department of Public Safety said Thursday.

"Further examination may result in additional findings," officials added.

PHOTO: Cristhian Rivera is escorted into the Poweshiek County Courthouse for his initial court appearance, Aug. 22, 2018, in Montezuma, Iowa.
Cristhian Rivera is escorted into the Poweshiek County Courthouse for his initial court appearance, Aug. 22, 2018, in Montezuma, Iowa.
Charlie Neibergall/AP

A first-degree murder charge was filed Tuesday against Rivera, an undocumented immigrant, sparking a renewed debate over immigration status.

Rivera has not yet entered a plea. His next court date is scheduled for Aug. 31.

ABC News' Rachel Katz contributed to this report.

Related Topics

ABC News Live

ABC News Live

24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events