A Nashville man, previously charged with nearly beating his girlfriend to death, is now the main suspect in her subsequent murder in Mississippi. Bricen John Rivers, 23, was identified as the suspect following the discovery of Lauren Johansen's body on Wednesday, as reported by NewsChannel 5.
In a separate incident, Rivers was captured after an extensive manhunt in Harrison County. He is currently held at the Harrison County Adult Detention Center with a bond set at $1 million, according to WSMV. Johansen, a 22-year-old woman from Gulfport, Mississippi, was found dead, wrapped in a sheet inside her vehicle which had been located at Wolf River Cemetery. Information about the vehicle led deputies on a pursuit ending with Rivers fleeing the scene.
In a heartbreaking condemnation of the justice system, Johansen's father expressed severe disappointment and sorrow, stating, "Failed my daughter:" when speaking to FOX 17 News. He detailed the chain of events following Rivers' bail reduction and subsequent release without mandatory court-ordered monitoring – a decision made by Nashville judge Cheryl Blackburn. "He was set free last Friday June 28th. Early Tuesday morning Katelyn found the front door open and Bentley Jo, Marley, and 3 shelter cats were in the front yard and Lauren was gone," recalled her devastated father.
