HATTIESBURG — Bricen Rivers pleaded guilty Friday to capital murder in the 2024 death of 22-year-old University of Southern Mississippi nursing student Lauren Johansen and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Johansen’s death followed a history of alleged domestic violence involving Rivers, including a previous case in Tennessee in which he was accused of kidnapping and assaulting her.
According to information reported in the case, Johansen and Rivers had been vacationing in Nashville in December 2023 when Rivers was accused of assaulting and kidnapping her. Rivers was arrested and charged with aggravated kidnapping and interfering with an emergency call.
After spending months in custody, Rivers’ bond was reduced, and he was released in June 2024 under conditions that he remain in Nashville, have no contact with Johansen and wear a GPS monitoring device.
However, failures involving the monitoring and release process allowed Rivers to return to Mississippi, according to information surrounding the case.
Days later, Johansen was found dead in the trunk of her vehicle near Wolf River Cemetery in Pass Christian.
Rivers was charged with capital murder in her death.
District Attorney Clay Cranford said Tuesday’s guilty plea and sentence brought justice for Johansen after more than two years of work by prosecutors and law enforcement agencies.
“This was a truly heinous crime where the dangers of domestic violence cannot be denied,” Cranford said.
Cranford said he and his trial partner, Bryan Buckley, had worked extensively on the case and thanked numerous agencies and officials for their assistance, including the offices of District Attorneys Lin Carter and Crosby Parker, Attorney General Lynn Fitch, the Forrest County Sheriff’s Office, Hattiesburg Police Department and Harrison County Sheriff’s Office.
Johansen’s death drew widespread attention to alleged failures in Tennessee’s bail and GPS monitoring systems. Her family has also pursued civil action against companies involved in Rivers’ release, alleging failures to enforce the conditions of his bond.
For Johansen’s family, Cranford said, Tuesday’s sentence does not erase their loss.
“Let’s not forget that they received the ultimate sentence today — life without Lauren in it,” Cranford said. “Please remember them in your prayers as they continue to heal.”
Johansen was 22 years old when she was killed. Rivers will spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole.
