Teen lady discovered lifeless in RV following determined search as member of the family arrested
Kylie Toberman, 14, was described as ‘a sweet and bright young girl’ and was a member of a local wrestling club.
A teenage girl was excelled at school and loved sports was found dead in an RV on the property where she was staying. Kylie Toberman, 14, was described as “a sweet and bright young girl” and was a member of a local wrestling club.
Her step-uncle Arnold Barry Rivera will face court this week after being charged with first-degree murder, aggravated sexual assault, and concealing a homicide.
Kylie was found dead in an RV on the property she was staying in Vandalia, Illinois, USA after a desperate search lasting hours. She was last seen about 9pm on Thursday wearing a red sweatshirt and black leggings, and reported missing at 6.30am on Friday.
Kylie’s body was discovered at about 2.20pm that afternoon, with her cause of death yet to be undetermined.
Her step-uncle Arnold Barry Rivera, 43, was later arrested, after fleeing from cops and trying to break into neighbouring homes to hide, according to the Daily Mail.
The Vandalia Police Department had said in a wanted alert on Saturday: “If you locate Rivera please do not approach Rivera but call 911 immediately.”
Jail records state Rivera was charged with first-degree murder, aggravated sexual assault, and concealing a homicide.
Kylie’s mother Meghan Zeller begged for help finding her daughter while she was still missing, then announced she was ‘no longer with us’.
She posted online: “I was young and dumb… I thought I could trust somebody and now my baby is an Angel.
“I will not shut up or stop until my child gets justice! I will not stop until my other girls are home.”
Zeller did not have custody of the teen or her two younger daughters and Kylie’s father had died of a drug overdose.
They were instead staying with the grandmother of one of Kylie’s sisters.
Local reports said Rivera’s house was filled with dogs and their faeces so the girls stayed in an RV behind it.
Kylie was said to have excelled at school and been involved in sports despite having a troubled upbringing.
Vandal Wrestling Takedown Club posted on Facebook: “It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that we lost one of our wrestlers, Kylie Toberman, yesterday. Our team and community are grieving the loss of such a sweet and bright young girl.
“We are planning to do something special in her honor, and we ask for patience as we take some time to grieve and support one another. We will share more information once everything is arranged. Thank you.”
Rivera was booked into the county jail at 8pm on Friday and will face court this week. The Illinois State Police is continuing to investigate.
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