Ex-Boyfriend Charged After Missing Mississippi Woman Found Dead in Cemetery

The body of a missing Mississippi woman, Lauren Johansen, was discovered wrapped in sheets and trash bags at a cemetery, authorities reported. Her ex-boyfriend, 23-year-old Bricen Rivers, is now facing charges in connection with her death.

Deputies were alerted to the location of 22-year-old Lauren Johansen’s vehicle at the cemetery through a tip. When they arrived, they found Rivers fleeing from the scene. Inside the vehicle, deputies discovered Johansen’s body, wrapped in a sheet. The tragic discovery was made possible through the tracking system OnStar, which allowed authorities to locate Johansen’s vehicle.

Lauren’s father, Lance Johansen, was notified about the location of her vehicle. Upon arriving at the cemetery and seeing her car, he immediately feared the worst. He described the condition of his daughter’s body as “mutilated” and expressed deep sorrow and disbelief that Rivers had been released on a reduced bond with no monitoring system in place.

Lance Johansen revealed that Rivers had a violent history with his daughter. Rivers had previously been released from a Nashville jail where he was held on assault charges. Lance also disclosed that during a vacation in Tennessee, Rivers had brutally beaten Lauren and held her hostage. He voiced strong criticism of the Nashville criminal justice system, stating that it had failed to protect his daughter and their family.

The discovery of Lauren Johansen’s body has left her family and community in shock and mourning. Support services and counseling are being provided to those affected by this tragic loss. The circumstances of Lauren’s death have highlighted concerns about the handling of domestic violence cases and the effectiveness of the criminal justice system in protecting victims.

Authorities are continuing their investigation into Lauren Johansen’s death, with Bricen Rivers now in custody facing serious charges. The community and law enforcement are calling for justice for Lauren and accountability for those responsible. The case underscores the urgent need for stronger measures to protect individuals from domestic violence and to ensure that perpetrators are held fully accountable.

As the investigation proceeds, updates will be provided to keep the public informed. The authorities are committed to uncovering the truth behind Lauren Johansen’s tragic death and seeking justice for her and her grieving family. The case serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers of domestic violence and the critical importance of vigilant and effective law enforcement.