In a devastating turn of events, the Vandalia, Illinois community that awoke Friday to a frantic search for 13-year-old Kylie M. Toberman is now reeling from confirmation that her body has been found — and a suspect taken into custody. Authorities say 43-year-old Arnold B. Rivera Jr., a Vandalia resident, was arrested in connection with her death, transforming what began as a missing child alert into a full-blown homicide investigation.
The alarm was first raised early Thursday morning when Kylie was reported missing. According to local reports, Vandalia police received the missing person alert at around 6:34 a.m., triggering a city-wide search involving not just the local department but additional support from area agencies. By afternoon, that search ended in heartbreak: officers located a deceased individual — though they initially withheld the identity.
A somber confirmation followed when Kylie’s mother took to Facebook: the body discovered earlier was indeed her daughter’s. By late afternoon, official sources backed up her announcement, and investigators began piecing together what could have happened.
Shortly after the grim discovery, authorities arrested Arnold B. Rivera Jr., 43, in connection with Kylie’s death. Local law enforcement confirms that his home became an active crime scene, with forensic teams and homicide detectives working into the evening to collect evidence. Investigators haven’t yet released full details on the charges but indicate formal homicide charges are expected soon.
The Illinois State Police are reportedly leading the case, with backup from Vandalia’s police force and Fayette County’s Sheriff’s Office. According to sources, officials are still working to establish a clear timeline – how Kylie disappeared, where she may have encountered Rivera, and what led to the tragic outcome. Meanwhile, crime-scene technicians have been carefully cataloging items from Rivera’s home, a sign that law enforcement is sparing no effort.
As the town grapples with grief, messages of shock and sympathy have poured in from neighbors, friends, and strangers alike. In her Facebook post, Kylie’s mother thanked the community for their support even as she mourned her daughter’s death. Vandalia, a small town where such heartbreak feels especially personal, is now trying to make sense of how a missing child alert curled so tragically into a homicide.
There are no further updates on the cause of death yet. The Fayette County Coroner, who was called to the scene, is helping with next steps. At the same time, the Illinois State Police are urging anyone with information about Kylie’s disappearance or Rivera’s activities to come forward.
If you have any information, you’re asked to call the Vandalia Police Department immediately at 618-283-0556 or dial 911.
