IOWA CITY, Iowa (KWWL/NBC) – Students coming and going to classes on the University of Iowa campus Tuesday afternoon were just learning the news that Mollie Tibbetts—a fellow UI student—had been murdered and an arrest had been made
UI Sophomore Mariah Breeze said, “Scary and sad but also kind of relieving that they found him but it’s still kind of like there are more people out there like him so it’s still kind of nerve-wracking.”
The news sweeping campus, but it was news no one had been hoping for.
“There’s that small hope that she was going to be okay,” said UI junior Isa Ramirez-Silva
Tibbetts’ death shaking much of the core of the Hawkeye community
Sophomore Mariah Breeze said, “That could have been me. That could have been any of the people sitting in my classes. One of my professors this morning made a comment that like Mollie could have been in the class with us but she wasn’t and it could have been anyone.”
It has made them fearful. Breeze explained, “It changed a lot for me actually. Last year I walked alone at night all the time. I would go for runs and Now I don’t really want to go anywhere alone and I always have pepper spray on me.”
It has made them more aware. Ramirez-Silva said, “It’s in the back of my head even more now. You have to be so extra careful it could happen to everyone.”
And as those close to Tibbetts mourn, the UI campus is mourning with them. “I’m just so sorry that that happened,” Ramirez-Silva said. “My prayers are with her and her family and anyone that knew her.”
© 2024 KOBI-TV NBC5. All rights reserved unless otherwise stated.