BROOKLYN, Iowa — Each 12 months since Mollie Tibbetts’ homicide, associates, household, and the group of Brooklyn collect for Mollie’s Memorial run. This 12 months, after a protracted three years of trial delays and appeals, the run had a distinct feeling.
“We got justice for our girl, we got justice for our family, and we got justice for the community,” Mollie’s cousin mentioned, addressing the group earlier than the runners took off.
This run was the primary occasion by Mollie’s basis since Christian Bahena Rivera was convicted of Tibbetts’ homicide in May. Mollie first went lacking in late August of 2018.
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Scott Cummings had been captivated by her story since information first broke of her disappearance, all the way in which in Indiana. Since then, he has run 188 races in her reminiscence, all the time in his “Miles for Mollie” gear.
“Every race I do, I do for Mollie Tibbetts, I do it in her memory, but I do it for the family too,” he mentioned.
Despite by no means realizing her personally, Cummings feels linked to her and desires to maintain her story alive any means he can. For him, that is via their shared ardour – operating.
“I started running because she was a runner, and I liked to run,” he mentioned.
Although the legal case is closed, Mollie’s story continues previous the courtroom. Her basis and run are donating half of the funds raised in the direction of the Xavior Harrelson search fund. Xavior Harrelson is an 11-year-old Montezuma boy who went lacking practically 4 months in the past, solely 15 miles out from Mollie’s hometown of Brooklyn.
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For the primary time in three years, Mollie Tibbett’s household can lastly run free, realizing justice has been served.
“You inspire us every day with your immense courage, kindness, and spirit. We love you, we miss you,” mentioned Tibbett’s cousin, as she addressed Mollie, “because we know she’s here.”
