In a shocking turn of events, Bricen Rivers, the man who was arrested in Nashville last December for viciously assaulting his girlfriend, is now the primary suspect in her death in Mississippi. The victim, identified as Lauren Johansen, was found dead inside a vehicle after her family reported her missing.

According to local police officials, Rivers, 23, has been charged with one count of homicide in connection with Johansen's death. They discovered her body after responding to a call regarding a welfare concern at a local cemetery. When officers arrived, Rivers fled from a nearby vehicle into the nearby woods. He was later apprehended by Mississippi law enforcement agencies after several hours of searching.

Making the situation even more alarming, Rivers had been recently released on bond in Nashville just a few days prior to Johansen's tragic demise. The victim's family spokesperson expressed their frustration, stating that they were never informed about Rivers' release. They believe that the justice system failed Johansen.

It was revealed that Rivers had been facing charges of two counts of especially aggravated kidnapping, aggravated stalking, and witness coercion since his arrest in December. This incident had occurred while he and Johansen were vacationing in downtown Nashville, where Rivers became enraged. The victim had called the police, fearing for her life, and her family alerted authorities from out of state about the situation.

As the couple left downtown, Rivers began physically assaulting Johansen while driving and confiscated her phone. The assault continued in a parking lot, leading the victim to nearly lose consciousness. Fortunately, officers were able to locate Johansen in North Nashville, following the sound of her banging on the car in an attempt to escape Rivers' attack. Upon their arrival, it was discovered that Rivers was reaching for a firearm in the back seat, but authorities managed to intervene and took him into custody.

Records indicate that Rivers' original bond was set at $251,000, but it was later reduced to $150,000 during a court hearing before Judge Cheryl Blackburn. On Time Bail Bonds and Brooke's Bail Bonding each contributed $75,000 to secure his release. However, detailed court records beyond his arraignment in April and his most recent court date on July 2 are currently unavailable.

The devastating loss of Lauren Johansen serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by victims of domestic violence and the critical importance of swift and appropriate responses from the criminal justice system. Law enforcement officials are now diligently working to build a case against Rivers as the primary suspect in her untimely death.