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Nicole Montalvo
By Brian McBride
Editor
Charges have been dropped against the mother-in-law of Nicole Montalvo, the St. Cloud mother who was alleged murdered, after new evidence surfaced.
Wanda Rivera had been charged with being an accessory, evidence tampering and lying to law enforcement. She was Montalvo’s mother in law, and was arrested in May of 2020.
Christopher Otero-Rivera and Angel Rivera have been charged with second-degree murder in the death of Montalvo. Christopher is Montalvo’s ex-husband, while Angel was her father in-law.
According to a State Attorney’s Office ruling, the state had received new evidence dismissing the charges against Wanda Rivera.”
The evidence consists of cell phone analysis supporting claims the conclusion that Christopher and Angel removed Montalvo’s vehicle from the property on the morning of Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2019.
“This new evidence is inconsistent with the evidence upon which the charges were filed that supported the State’s belief Wanda Rivera assisted Angel Rivera in removing the vehicle on the evening of Monday, October 21, 2019. While this new evidence is not conclusive as to the nature and timing of the vehicle’s removal, it creates a reasonable doubt as to Wanda Rivera’s guilt and ethically obligates dismissal in the interests of justice,” according to the new ruling.
The announcement had no bearing the case against Christopher and Angel
The men were arrested in October of 2019 after investigators found Montalvo’s remains on the grounds of Angel’s St. Cloud home, where Christopher was also living.
The discovery at the Hixon Avenue property came about a week after Montalvo went missing. Her body was discovered about a week after the young mother disappeared.
“Nicole was killed and her body was cut into pieces and then buried by Angel and Christopher,” according to the arrest affidavit. But exactly how she was killed and who did it were not included the affidavit.
The trial is expected to start in April.
