Florida husband, father-in-law sentenced to life for murder, dismemberment of wife

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. (TCD) --

A man and his father were sentenced to life in prison Wednesday for the murder and dismemberment of Nicole Montalvo in 2019.

WKMG-TV reports Christopher Otero-Rivera and Angela Rivera were convicted in April of second-degree murder; tampering with evidence; and abuse of a human body.

The two men received life sentences for the murder charges, 15 years for the abuse of a dead body, and five years for tampering with physical evidence.

Court records in Osceola County show in October 2018, Otero-Rivera was arrested on charges of kidnapping with intent to commit bodily harm; robbery; and battery, among other charges.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, Nicole Montalvo filed for divorce from Otero-Rivera in February 2019 while her husband was in jail.

The Sentinel reports prosecutors said Otero-Rivera and Rivera wanted Montalvo to "disappear" so Otero-Rivera could gain custody of their son.

Otero-Rivera and Rivera reportedly wanted to plant drugs on Montalvo so she would lose custody.

Rivera reportedly offered two people money to kill Montalvo, according to the Sentinel.

According to WESH-TV, Montalvo was last seen dropping her son off at the Riveras' property in St. Cloud.

WKMG reports Montalvo was reported because she didn't pick up her son from school. Her remains were later found on the Riveras' property.

A crime scene technician testified at the trial that while searching the property, she found tire tracks leading to trailer with debris all over it. Technicians discovered "the fleshy material" and a "foul odor," WESH reports.

The Sentinel reports Otero-Rivera's attorney plans to appeal the sentencing decision.

Angel Rivera's wife, Wanda Rivera, was charged with accessory after the fact to murder and tampering with physical evidence.

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