“The Last Mile”: Dateline Reports on Mollie Tibbetts Homicide April 6 2025

On Sunday, April 6, 2025, Dateline NBC airs The Last Mile at 9:00 PM ET/8:00 PM CT, an in-depth look at the tragic disappearance and murder of 20-year-old University of Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts. The case drew national attention in the summer of 2018 when Tibbetts vanished while jogging near her boyfriend’s home in the rural town of Brooklyn, Iowa. Over the course of a month-long search, the investigation evolved into one of the most widely followed missing persons cases in the country.

Through exclusive interviews, video evidence, and firsthand accounts from law enforcement and Tibbetts’ loved ones, The Last Mile traces the detailed progression of the investigation that led to the arrest and conviction of Cristhian Bahena Rivera. The episode also examines the emotional and political fallout that followed the discovery of Tibbetts’ body in an Iowa cornfield and the complex legal case that ensued.

A Young Woman with a Bright Future

Mollie Cecilia Tibbetts was a psychology major at the University of Iowa. Originally from San Francisco, she had moved to Iowa in her youth following her parents’ divorce and was raised in the small town of Brooklyn. Known for her upbeat personality and strong work ethic, Tibbetts spent her summer working at a children’s day camp in Grinnell and was preparing to return to school in the fall.

Tibbetts was a former cross-country runner and a passionate advocate for kindness and mental health awareness. Friends described her as someone who could brighten any room, while her family recalled her deep compassion and commitment to helping others. Her death would leave an enduring void in her close-knit community.

The Disappearance and Immediate Search

On the evening of July 18, 2018, Mollie went out for a jog after leaving her boyfriend Dalton Jack’s home. When she failed to return and did not show up for work the next day, her family reported her missing. Authorities launched an expansive search effort, utilizing local volunteers, FBI agents, and state investigators.

Early on, police sought to analyze data from her Fitbit and cellphone, which initially revealed limited but critical clues. Surveillance footage obtained from a home security system became the breakthrough law enforcement needed. The video captured Tibbetts jogging followed closely by a black Chevrolet Malibu that appeared multiple times in the footage. This clue would eventually lead investigators to their suspect.

The Arrest of Cristhian Bahena Rivera

On August 21, 2018, law enforcement located the vehicle in the footage and identified the driver as Cristhian Bahena Rivera, a 24-year-old dairy farm employee originally from Mexico. Rivera had been working in the U.S. under a false identity and living in the Brooklyn, Iowa, area for several years.

During questioning, Rivera initially denied involvement but ultimately confessed to following Tibbetts, confronting her after she threatened to call the police, and then blacking out. When he came to, Rivera claimed, Tibbetts was in his trunk. He later led investigators to a secluded cornfield where her body was discovered concealed beneath leaves and stalks. An autopsy determined she had died from multiple sharp force injuries, consistent with stabbing.

Legal Proceedings and Trial

Rivera was charged with first-degree murder and held on a $5 million bond. His defense attorneys argued that his confession was coerced and that investigators had violated his rights during the initial interrogation. While parts of his first confession were excluded from trial, a second statement—along with physical evidence including Tibbetts’ blood in the trunk of his car—was presented to the jury.

The trial began in May 2021 and lasted nearly two weeks. Rivera unexpectedly testified in his own defense, presenting an alternate theory that two masked men forced him to participate in the crime. The prosecution dismissed the story as implausible and unsupported by evidence. On May 28, 2021, Rivera was found guilty of first-degree murder. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on August 30, 2021.

Immigration and Political Controversy

Rivera’s immigration status became a flashpoint in national debates. As an undocumented immigrant, his arrest led to intense scrutiny over immigration enforcement and labor practices. Prominent political figures, including then-President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, used the case to advocate for stricter border control. However, members of Tibbetts’ family publicly criticized the politicization of her death.

Mollie’s father, Rob Tibbetts, issued statements defending the local Hispanic community and rejecting efforts to use his daughter’s murder to push anti-immigrant policies. He stressed that his daughter would have opposed such rhetoric and urged the public to honor her legacy through compassion, not division.

A Legacy That Lives On

In the years since her death, Mollie Tibbetts has been memorialized in several ways. Her family established a memorial fund in her name to support mental health services for children. Annual events such as the “Miles for Mollie” run and “Mollie’s Ride” motorcycle event raise funds and awareness in her memory.

Community members continue to honor her legacy through acts of kindness and public tributes. Friends, family, and supporters say her spirit endures in the community she loved and served. As Dateline revisits this tragic case, viewers are reminded of both the pain of loss and the enduring strength of those left behind.