Jury finds Christopher Otero-Rivera, Angel Rivera guilty in death of Nicole Montalvo
LAKE MARY, Fla. - A jury has delivered guilty verdicts for the estranged husband and father-in-law of Nicole Montalvo, whose body was found dismembered in 2019 after she was reported missing.
Montalvo’s estranged husband, Christopher Otero-Rivera, and her father-in-law, Angel Luis Rivera, were charged with second-degree murder, abuse of a body, and evidence tampering in her death.
The six-member jury deliberated for just under two hours at the Osceola County Courthouse following a week of testimony.
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"We couldn’t be more thrilled with the verdict today," said Steven Montalvo, a brother of Nicole Montalvo. "We finally feel like there is some accountability."
"While justice was served today, our sister, my sister Nicole is still gone," said brother Eddie Montalvo. "A son has lost his mother."
A jury has delivered guilty verdicts for the estranged husband and father-in-law of Nicole Montalvo, whose body was found dismembered in 2019 after she was reported missing.
A jury has delivered guilty verdicts for the estranged husband and father-in-law of Nicole Montalvo, whose body was found dismembered in 2019 after she was reported missing.
Montalvo, 33, was an Osceola County mother who was reported missing on Oct. 21 of 2019. Deputies said her remains were found on property belonging to her estranged husband's family days after she was reported missing.
Nicole Montalvo with her son, Elijah.
Prosecutors said Otero-Rivera had a history of abusing his wife before Montalvo filed for divorce in early 2019. They said that led to a contentious custody battle over their 8-year-old son, and ultimately, Montalvo's killing.
State prosecutor Ryan Williams admitted that this was not an easy case.
"There were people 18 months ago who said this case couldn’t even be charged, so the fact that they’ve been convicted of anything is a win," Williams added. "Now they’ve both been convicted of second-degree murder."
Christoper Otero-Rivera
Angel Luis Rivera
The state had to rely on circumstantial evidence, from GPS devices and phone records to testimony from convicted felons.
The only concrete piece of evidence was the victim’s blood and DNA found on the bottom of an orange cart. Another member of the Rivera family testified seeing Angel Rivera rinsing the cart in the middle of the night, hours after the time we now know Nicole Montalvo was last seen alive.
"We don’t hide things; we just are straightforward -- told them who our witnesses are the entire trial. We put it out there," Williams explained. "My experience is that jurors respond to that, and I think today’s verdict is a reflection of the idea that when law enforcement acts right, they’re willing to trust us."
A sentencing date has not been set yet. Otero-Rivera and his father could each get life in prison.
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