A $2.25 million bond has been imposed on Joel Jiménez Rivera, who has been charged with first-degree murder, destruction of evidence, and mistreatment of the elderly in connection with the death of his 89-year-old mother, Rosalina Rivera Picón, in Arecibo. The incident allegedly occurred on June 30, when Rivera Picón was found dead in her home in the Santana neighborhood. According to the investigation, Jiménez Rivera lived with his mother and had taken her out of the hospital before medical evaluation was completed after she was treated by paramedics on June 28.
An autopsy determined that Rivera Picón died from severe bodily trauma caused by another person. The charges were filed by prosecutor Daisy M. Quintero Hernández, and a preliminary hearing has been scheduled for July 17, 2026.
Secretary of Justice Lourdes Gomez Torres stated that the allegations reflect extremely serious conduct that will be prosecuted with the full force of the law.