Vigils held across Iowa for Mollie Tibbetts
Posted By: BriAna Campbell
bcampbell@klkntv.com
From her hometown of Brooklyn, to her college in Iowa City, vigils to commemorate Mollie Tibbetts happened all across Iowa on Wednesday.
Friends, family and community members gathered together to share memories of the 20 year old college student.
"I idolized her – in so many ways I wanted to be like her," said one friend of Mollie’s.
Crowds of people packed into the St. Patrick Catholic Church in Brooklyn, where Mollie was a long time member, for a somber service full of prayer.
Reverend Corey Close calling upon those grieving to seek forgiveness for Mollie’s alleged killer, 24 year old Christhian Rivera.
"Our faith teaches us that Christ came for forgiveness," preached Rev. Close.
Although forgiveness is a task many believe will be hard to do, with the town still brokenhearted from the news of Mollie’s death.
"Worse than tragic. Unbearable," is how Brooklyn resident Mary Carlson described the tragedy.
50 miles east of Brooklyn, hundreds gathered for a candle light vigil at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, where Mollie was an upcoming sophomore.
Students stood with arms around one another and candles lit in remembrance of their fellow Hawkeye.
Mollie’s friends recalled the moment on Tuesday morning, when they found out she was gone. Law enforcement discovered her body in a cornfield in rural Poweshiek County, just 10 miles from Brooklyn.
"My biggest fear had come true, that they had found Mollie. I just remember, looking in the mirror, kind of just processing the whole thing, thinking this can’t be real, this can’t be real. And then as soon as the first glance in the mirror, I just broke down because there I was without her and I just started sobbing," said Breck Goodman, one of Mollie’s close friends at U of I.
Mollie’s family released a statement to the media, saying:
"Our hearts are broken. On behalf of Mollie’s entire family, we thank all of those from around the world who have sent their thoughts and prayers for our girl. We know that many of you will join us as we continue to carry Mollie in our hearts forever. At this time, our family asks that we be allowed the time to process our devastating loss and share our grief in private. Again, thank you for the outpouring of love and support that has been shared in Mollie’s name. We remain forever grateful."
