Bricen Rivers

Bricen John Rivers was in his early 20s when he became the focus of the investigation into Lauren Johansen's murder.

Rivers and Johansen had known each other since high school and had been involved in an on-again, off-again relationship for several years.

By December 2023, their relationship had become increasingly violent. During a trip to Nashville, Rivers assaulted Johansen inside a parked vehicle. Police responded and found Johansen severely beaten. An 11-minute recording recovered from her phone captured Rivers threatening and choking her while accusing her of giving her phone number to another man.

Rivers was arrested in Tennessee and faced charges including aggravated kidnapping, stalking and coercion-related offenses.

Rivers' only confirmed murder was the killing of Lauren Johansen.

On July 2, 2024, Rivers travelled to Johansen's home in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, despite being subject to court restrictions from his Tennessee case.

Surveillance cameras captured him walking toward her house in the early morning hours. Investigators said he spent time near Johansen's bedroom window before removing one of her security cameras.

Authorities believe Rivers then coaxed Johansen outside and attacked her.

Johansen was beaten and killed. Rivers then took her car and transported her body toward Harrison County.

Her body was later found inside the vehicle, wrapped in sheets, after police tracked the car to the area of Wolf River Cemetery.

The prosecution established a pattern of domestic violence, threats, physical assault and control preceding Johansen's murder.

Rivers had previously assaulted Johansen in Nashville, an attack that resulted in his arrest and the imposition of bail conditions.

In the final attack, investigators said Rivers travelled to Johansen's home before dawn, confronted her and beat her to death.

He then drove away in her vehicle with her body and attempted to dispose of evidence in wooded areas.

Surveillance footage became an important part of the investigation, documenting Rivers' movements around Johansen's home and later showing him leaving the property in her car.

Rivers' release from the Tennessee jail became a major part of the case.

He had been ordered to remain in Davidson County and wear a GPS ankle monitor. However, a series of communication and administrative failures resulted in Rivers being released and transported to Mississippi without the required restrictions being properly implemented.

After Johansen disappeared, investigators traced her vehicle to Wolf River Cemetery in Harrison County.

On July 3, deputies located Rivers standing beside Johansen's car.

When an officer attempted to detain him, Rivers ran into nearby woods.

A six-hour manhunt followed.

Investigators eventually used Rivers' brother to lure him out of hiding. His brother, working with law enforcement, arranged to meet him in an unmarked vehicle.

Rivers emerged from the woods and was taken into custody.

Johansen's body was found inside the vehicle.

Rivers was indicted for capital murder, along with charges involving possession of Johansen's vehicle and tampering with physical evidence.

He remained in custody while the case proceeded.

On August 28, 2026, Rivers pleaded guilty to capital murder in the death of Lauren Johansen.

The Forrest County Circuit Court sentenced him to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

In September 2026, Rivers also pleaded guilty in Harrison County to desecration of a human corpse and tampering with physical evidence. He received additional consecutive sentences of three years and ten years, to be served after his existing life sentence.

One of the most significant aspects of the case was that Rivers was out on bond when he killed Johansen.

His release followed the December 2023 assault in Nashville, when police found Johansen badly beaten. Rivers initially faced a $250,000 bond, which was later reduced to $150,000.

The conditions of his release included remaining in Davidson County and wearing a GPS ankle monitor.

However, the required monitoring arrangements broke down. The bonding company took Rivers to a different monitoring service, and the GPS restrictions were not properly established. Rivers was subsequently able to return to Mississippi.

Johansen's family had reportedly warned authorities about the danger they believed Rivers posed. Her father, Lance Johansen, later became an advocate for stronger protections for domestic-violence victims and began working on legislation known as Lauren's Law.

Investigators also recovered evidence documenting Rivers' movements on the morning Johansen died. Security cameras captured him approaching her home, removing surveillance equipment and later leaving in her car.

After his arrest, investigators obtained an audio recording in which Rivers confessed to killing Johansen during a telephone conversation with his mother.

Rivers ultimately admitted responsibility by pleading guilty to capital murder, avoiding a trial and receiving a sentence of life without parole.