Crime & Safety

Maintenance Man Arrested in Jorelys Rivera Murder Case

The body of the 7-year-old was found in a dumpster.

Updated Wednesday, 7:09 p.m.

Authorities today arrested Ryan Brunn, 20, in the death of Jorelys Rivera. Brunn was a maintenance worker at the River Ridge Apartment Complex where both he and Rivera lived. Officials with the management company that oversees the complex said Brunn was hired on Nov. 5, and passed a criminal background check and a check of the sexual predator list before he was hired.

Brunn will have his first appearance hearing Thursday at 1:30 p.m. at the Cherokee County Justice Center in downtown Canton.

Find out what's happening in Holly Springs-Hickory Flatwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Updated Wednesday, 12:54 p.m.

Canton-Sixes Patch is reporting that an arrest has been made in the Jorelys Rivera murder case. More information is expected to released at a 1:45 p.m. press conference.

Find out what's happening in Holly Springs-Hickory Flatwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Updated Monday, 2:30 p.m.

The body of 7-year-old Canton-Sixes Patch reports.

Vernon Keenan of the GBI told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the girl had been severely beaten and sexually assaulted.

Updated Monday, noon

A fund has been set up for the return of Jorelys Rivera. Right now there is a $5,000 reward being offered for information on the safe return of the 7-year-old girl. 

You can donate at any bank in Holly Springs, Canton or Woodstock, or mail donations to 

Bring Jorleys Rivera Home Fund

c/o Cherokee Sheriff’s Foundation

P.O. Box 4250 Canton, Ga. 30114

Updated Monday, 10 a.m.

According to a press release from the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office, the search teams, which now include local, state and federal authorities, are focusing on a one-mile radius of the girl's home. 

Updated Monday, 8:30 a.m.

There are still no signs of Jorelys Rivera, Around 9 p.m. last night, police scaled back the search for the missing girl. A candlelight vigil is being held Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Heritage Park.

Updated Sunday, 6 p.m.

A tip line has been set up for information on Jorleys whereabouts. The number is 770-345-4189.

Updated Saturday, 7:10 p.m.

The search for Jorelys Rivera has been upgraded to a possible child abduction. For more information, check Canton-Sixes Patch. 

Original report follows: 

Jorelys Rivera was last seen around 5 p.m. at 100 River Ridge Drive in Canton.

She is a Hispanic female, 3-feet-tall and 80 pounds, and was last seen wearing a pink shirt, blue jeans and black boots.

are asking anyone with information to call 911.


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