Authorities say the 14-year-old was reported missing Friday morning and discovered that afternoon behind her home.
VANDALIA, Ill. — A southern Illinois man has been charged in the death of a 14-year-old Vandalia girl who was reported missing early Friday and found dead hours later in an RV behind her home, authorities said Monday. The suspect, identified as Arnold B. Rivera, 43, was arrested over the weekend and remained in custody as prosecutors filed charges.
Officials said the case is being handled as a homicide investigation by Illinois State Police with assistance from Vandalia police and the Fayette County coroner. Prosecutors allege Rivera killed the teenager and then concealed her body on the property where she lived. The girl was identified by relatives as Kylie Toberman. The school district confirmed the student’s death and said counseling teams would be available. Rivera was expected to appear in court Monday morning in Fayette County. Investigators said the inquiry is active and additional information will be released as it becomes available.
Police said they received a missing person report at about 6:34 a.m. Friday from a home on Vandalia’s south side. Officers canvassed the neighborhood and coordinated with state police through the morning and early afternoon. By about midafternoon, searchers located a body in a recreational vehicle parked behind the residence, according to officials familiar with the response. The Fayette County coroner pronounced the teen dead at 2:20 p.m. Friday. “We are deeply saddened to share that a student in our district has passed away far too soon,” the Vandalia Community Unit School District said in a written statement.
Rivera was later taken into custody and booked into the Fayette County Jail. On Sunday night and into Monday, prosecutors filed counts of first-degree murder, aggravated criminal sexual assault and concealment of a homicidal death. Authorities have not publicly described a motive. Officials said the Illinois State Police are leading evidence processing and interviews. As of Monday morning, investigators had not released results from an autopsy conducted over the weekend. The department said more details would be shared once it would not jeopardize the case.
Vandalia, a city of about 7,000 roughly 30 miles southwest of Effingham, saw a broad response from law enforcement Friday, with local officers, state police detectives and the coroner’s office rotating through the scene through the evening. Neighbors described seeing police vehicles blocking sections of the street and crime-scene tape around the yard as investigators moved between the house and the RV. The school system prepared additional counseling support for the coming week and asked families to lean on established resources while law enforcement completes its work. The Fayette County State’s Attorney’s Office said it is coordinating closely with detectives on charging decisions.
Relatives identified the girl as Kylie Toberman, a student active in school activities. Her mother, Megan Zeller, said the family is devastated and wants a thorough investigation. District leaders echoed that sentiment and asked the community to be patient as authorities collect statements and review physical evidence. Records show Rivera has prior criminal cases in Illinois; prosecutors noted that history in court filings while emphasizing that the new charges stem from Friday’s discovery behind the home. Officials have not said whether the victim and Rivera had an existing relationship beyond living at or visiting the residence.
The timeline released by police shows a tightly compressed sequence: a missing report before dawn Friday, a body found that afternoon, and an arrest by the next day. On Monday, prosecutors presented the case for Rivera’s first appearance at the Fayette County Courthouse in Vandalia. If a judge orders him held, the case will proceed to later hearings where probable cause, counsel and future court dates are addressed. Investigators said they are still collecting lab results, canvassing for additional witnesses and reviewing any nearby cameras that may show movements before and after the girl was reported missing. Additional updates are expected after the hearing and once autopsy findings are finalized.
By Sunday, the coroner confirmed the time of death pronouncement and said few other details could be released, citing the open investigation. Outside the home Monday morning, a small number of neighbors paused to watch as officers returned briefly to the property. “It’s heartbreaking,” one resident said, adding that the street had never seen such a large response. The school district’s message to families remained posted, acknowledging the loss and noting that counselors would be available on campus to support students and staff during the week.
As of Monday afternoon, Rivera remained jailed on murder and related charges, and the investigation was ongoing. Officials said the next major update would follow the suspect’s initial court appearance and the release of preliminary autopsy results later this week.
Author note: Last updated November 17, 2025.