Christopher Otero-Rivera reportedly kidnapped his Estranged Husband of Nicole Montalvo [photo], at Knifepoint a year ago. He has been charged with murder after her dismembered body was found in his home, two days after she vanished on Oct 23
33-year-old Montalvo, an employee at Broadway Pizza Bar in Kissimmee, was reported missing Oct. 23. She had dropped off her 8-year-old son Elijah at his father’s home in St. Cloud two days earlier, but did not return to collect him.
Conducting a search, investigators discovered human remains at a property belonging to Montalvo’s in-laws on Oct. 25.; authorities confirmed the remains as Montalvo two days later.
Gibson said Montalvo’s body was in one of the worst conditions he has seen over 32 years as a homicide detective and sheriff, adding that the remains had been “disassembled.” The cause of death is still yet to be determined, though autopsy results are expected next week.
“I’m so angry what these people have done to this sweet woman, at a time in her life when she felt as though she had finally broken free and was so happy to have made her first month’s rent,” Sheriff Gibson said.
“Many times, victims of domestic violence don’t know how to break free, but she was out there on her own getting it done. Now she is dead.”
“When this autopsy is done, people are going to be horrified,” Gibson added.
But this was hardly the first allegedly savage encounter Montalvo had faced at the hands of Otero-Rivera, with whom she had filed for divorce. According to court filings, Montalvo sought the help of law enforcement on numerous occasions, and incidences of violence had escalated over several years
Photos of Montalvo sporting bruises and a neck brace were included in court petitions, according reports the Orlando Sentinel.
Also revealed in that filing was the fact that Otero-Rivera had previously been involuntarily hospitalized under the state’s Baker’s Act, which allows a 72-hour hold for those believed to be a danger to themselves or others.
Yet the worst alleged incident came in October 2018. Montalvo told law enforcement that Otero-Rivera texted her that his truck had broken down and that he needed a ride. However, he then led her to a barren area where another car, driven by a woman identified as Toni Rocker, pulled up.
Montalvo was subsequently dragged from her vehicle and thrown to the ground. After her husband purportedly stuffed a cloth in her mouth and attempted to break her neck, Rocker allegedly held a knife to Montalvo’s throat and threatened to kill her if she told anyone about the attack.
The pair were arrested.
Ex-con father and son Christopher Otero-Rivera, [left] and his father Angel Luis Rivera, [right] were charged Oct 28 in Osceola County, Fla., with premeditated murder in the death of Christopher’s estranged wife. They are being held without bond at the Osceola County Jail
Rocker, 31, was acquitted in April of charges of kidnapping, robbery, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon by a jury in April.
Christopher Otero-Rivera pled no contest to hindering a witness’s ability to communicate with law enforcement, unlawful possession of a credit or debit card, and battery. The more serious charges of kidnapping, robbery, and aggravated assault were dropped in the agreement.
After serving just eight months behind bars, he was released on two years of probation – which included wearing an ankle bracelet for monitoring.
Moreover, Otero-Rivera was banned from communicating with Montalvo except for in a parenting cellphone application but has since been charged with violating a no-contact order after admitting to calling her. His father, a convicted felon, was initially apprehended Friday on charges of unlawful weapons and ammunition possession.
“This is a person who already tried to snap Nicole’s neck, and he took this plea deal,” Gibson lamented. “Domestic violence should not be a misdemeanor; they should be a felony. If weapons are used, they can be enhanced to a felony. But anything domestic violence-related should be moved to a felony.”
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