The trial date for the man accused of killing Southern Miss nursing student Lauren Johansen has been pushed back.

Forrest County District Attorney Lin Carter reports that Bricen Rivers will appear in court on March 3, 2026. The date of the trial was moved back to afford the defendant’s attorneys more time for their client to undergo a professional mental health evaluation.

Rivers, 25, was indicted back in February. A grand jury found him liable for capital murder, stealing a motor vehicle, and tampering with evidence in connection with the death of Johansen, his ex-girlfriend. Rivers pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Police found Johansen’s body in the trunk of a vehicle at Wolf River Cemetery in Pass Christian on July 3, 2024. Before the discovery, law enforcement spotted a man later

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