Hearing held for 3 charged in St. Cloud woman’s death, dismemberment

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – A hearing was held Wednesday for three suspects charged in connection with the murder of a St. Cloud woman.

Prosecutors say Christopher Otero-Rivera and his father, Angel Rivera, killed Christopher’s estranged wife, Nicole Montalvo, last year.

[RELATED: Crime scene photos, evidence released in Montalvo case]

Rivera’s wife, Wanda Rivera, is charged with accessory after the fact to murder and tampering with physical evidence.

Attorneys for the defendants argued the initial search of the family’s home was illegal so much of what was uncovered should not be allowed in court.

The judge in the case first heard arguments over the evidence in October, but the hearing resumed Wednesday. The judge will make a ruling at a later date.

Montalvo disappeared in October 2019 after dropping off her 8-year-old son at the Riveras’ home, according to investigators. Prosecutors say her body was dismembered and buried on property belonging to the Rivera family.