Cristhian Bahena Rivera, 24, is charged with first-degree murder. His car was seen on surveillance video following Tibbetts on on July 18, the day she disappeared. Bahena’s testimony is what led authorities to her body, covered in corn stalks. Rivera is a Mexican national living in the U.S. illegally for four to seven years. He worked at Yarrabee Farms under a different name.
The murder is bound to dominate the national news cycle for several months. President Trump has made stronger immigration laws and protecting U.S. borders key components of his presidency. The murder could be used by the republican party to stoke emotions ahead of mid-term elections. The conversations are almost unavoidable whether we like it or not.
