Autopsy report reveals relative strangled Vandalia, Illinois teen girl with jumper cables as its revealed step uncle had prior sexual assault history involving a minor.
An autopsy has revealed that a 14 year old Illinois girl found dead allegedly at the hands of her step-uncle was strangled to death with jumper cables.
Kylie Toberman of Vandalia according to Fayette County officials was sexually assaulted and strangled to death by a relative since identified as 43-year-old man, Arnold B. Rivera.
Fayette County officials had sent out urgent whereabouts for relative with history of sex assault hours before teen’s body found
Notice of the teen girl’s death came just hours after a missing persons report being filed Friday morning with the girl’s body found later that afternoon according to the Vandalia Police Department.
Officials arrested Arnold Rivera, 43, in the case. Following his arrest, the relative was charged with first-degree murder, criminal sexual assault and concealing a homicide.
Rivera remains held at Fayette County Jail.
Prior to the man’s arrest, authorities had sought the ‘urgent’ whereabouts of the relative according to a previous post by the Vandalia Police Department after the girl last being seen Thursday night just on 9 p.m. It wasn’t until the following morning, circa 6.30 a.m, a missing report was filed.
Step uncle had prior child sex assault which led to only 30 month probation
According to State Attorney Brenda Mathis, Kylie and Rivera were in a car together at the time of her death. Charging documents state accuse Rivera of sexually assaulting her, and an autopsy said her cause of death was strangulation, KGNS reported.
Mathis alleged Rivera used jumper cables to strangle the girl, then put her body in a tote and hid it in an RV.
Kylie reportedly lived at a home in Vandalia, near St. Louis, with her adoptive mother and two sisters. Rivera, who is reported to be her step-uncle, lived in the RV behind their house where her body was found, according to KSDK.
According to Fox News, Rivera has a criminal history dating back to 2000. That year, prosecutors dismissed charges of criminal sexual abuse involving a child between the ages of 9 and 16, as well as burglary, in exchange for a guilty plea to felony aggravated battery.
For that, Rivera was sentenced to 30 months of probation.
🚨 AMERICA, THIS IS A NIGHTMARE: 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL FOUND DEAD AFTER BEING LEFT WITH A KNOWN PREDATOR 🚨
Another child dead — another preventable tragedy — another FAILURE of a system that keeps letting predators roam free.
Kylie Toberman, 14, vanished Thursday night in Vandalia,… pic.twitter.com/ddEygCpOra
— Wienerdogwifi (@wienerdogwifi) November 17, 2025
Vandalia School District release statement as community is left rocked
Kylie attended Vandalia Junior High School and was on the wrestling team.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, the Vandalia Community School District #203 released the following statement:
“We are deeply saddened to share that a student in our district has passed away far too soon. This is heartbreaking news for our school community.
‘The situation involves an active law enforcement investigation. Out of respect for the family and the investigative process, we will not be sharing additional details at this time. We will coordinate closely with law enforcement and provide updates when appropriate.’
Stated a GoFundMe set up for the family, Monday night, ‘seeking justice for Kylie’:
‘Kylie was known for her caring heart and the way she made everyone around her feel included. She was a loyal friend, a devoted sister, and someone who could brighten any room simply by being in it. Kylie was also an incredible young wrestler, earning awards for her determination, discipline, and talent—qualities she carried into every part of her life.
‘Her mother, Megan Zeller, along with Kylie’s siblings , Kamilla, Korah, and Bryson are facing an unimaginable reality. As this is an ongoing criminal investigation, the family cannot share many details publicly, but they are cooperating fully with authorities as they seek justice for Kylie.’
