A Pennsylvania woman who vanished on Halloween was reportedly found dead in a shallow grave on Thursday.
Philadelphia police’s Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore confirmed to The Inquirer that Melody Rivera, 29, was found buried under twigs and leaves in a wooded area near Pennypack Park in Fox Chase. Law enforcement sources said they believed Rivera’s ex-boyfriend, Geovanni Otero, 29, was holding her against her will.
Police are reportedly searching for Otero, who was also last seen on Halloween. The source told The Inquirer that Rivera was in a car with her girlfriend when Otero kicked the girlfriend out and fled with Rivera. The vehicle was reportedly found abandoned days later.
According to the source, police believe Rivera was killed sometime on November 1. KYW reported that she was found dead four miles from where she vanished.
The Inquirer reported that Otero is currently out on parole in a 2018 gun case. Part of his parole required him to wear a GPS ankle monitor — which allegedly led police to where Rivera’s body was discovered.
Rivera’s cause of death remains undisclosed.
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[Feature Photo: Philadelphia Police Department]
