The brother of slain Iowa college student Mollie Tibbetts returned to the high school football field on Friday for his team’s season opener, three days afterhis sister’s lifeless body was found in a rural cornfield.
Under the shadow of personal tragedy, Scott Tibbetts — a senior and quarterback at Brooklyn-Guernsey-Malcom High School in Iowa — helped lead the Bears to victory over challenging team Lisbon, throwing two touchdowns and running another to solidify a 35-24 score, KCRG-9 Reported.
He also recovered a late onside kick in the game,The Des Moines Registerreported, to help seal the victory for the Bears.
It was especially emotional considering Scott only decided on Thursday that he would play,The Des Moines Registerreported.
“Scott Tibbetts decided last night to play today and led the Bears to a 35-24 win at Lisbon,” explainedRegisterreporter Mark Emmert on Twitter. “The coaches tried to keep things as normal as possible but could see the strain on their players’ faces this week. Tonight, there were plenty of smiles and hugs after the game. A big B-G-M contingent on hand. Nice moment for that community.”
Mollie, a 20-year-old psychology student entering her second year at the University of Iowa, vanished on July 18 after leaving her home in Brooklyn, Iowa, to go for a jog. She had been setto attend a destination wedding for her boyfriend’s brotherabout two weeks later.
Her body was found on Tuesday,500 yards into a cornfieldabout 10 to 12 miles south from where police think she was abducted, an investigator told PEOPLE.
Rivera has not entered a plea to the charge, but his attorney has said he is presumed innocent, describing his client as a hard worker and“loving father”to his young daughter.At his initial court hearing Wednesday, Rivera’s bond was increased from $1 million to $5 million at the urging of prosecutors.
Poweshiek County Sheriff’s Office
Charlie Neibergall/AP/Shutterstock
“We know that many of you will join us as we continue to carry Mollie in our hearts forever,” they said.
Mollie’s funeral is scheduled for Sunday at 2 p.m.
source: people.com
