Florida AG raises concerns over turmoil in slain Osceola County mother case

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody delivered a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday raising concerns over the growing turmoil in the investigation into the death of an Osceola County mother.

The letter follows a pointed news conference by State Attorney Aramis Ayala on Friday morning, when she accused the Osceola County sheriff of ignoring her office’s advice and creating a “public spectacle” around the investigation into Nicole Montalvo’s death.

“Had the Sheriff followed the advice and listened to my office, we would have an unlimited time to gather sufficient evidence of a successful prosecution,” Ayala said during the news conference.

In the letter, Moody warned such back-and-forth was “not conducive to the administration of fair and effective justice.”

READ: ‘The truth hurts’: State Attorney says sheriff ignored advice in case of slain Osceola County mom

She said the dispute between the State Attorney’s Office and the Sheriff’s Office is now “public, personal, and appears to be acrimonious.”

Moody said the Office of Statewide Prosecution’s preliminary opinion was that there are charges that could be filed against Montalvo’s estranged husband Christopher Otero-Rivera and his father, Angel Rivera.

Watch: Father-in-law of slain St. Cloud woman leaves jail with head covered

But, Moody said, that opinion could change with additional work and answered questions.

“In any event, the speedy trial timeline is running and I am concerned that the dispute and disagreement between the Sheriff and State Attorney, which now appears to be personal, could result in a miscarriage of justice,” Moody wrote to close the letter.

In response, Osceola County Sheriff Russ Gibson released a statement thanking Moody for her attention to the case.

“After watching the press conference by State Attorney Ayala this morning, I believe that justice can only be achieved in this case if it is given to the Office of Statewide Prosecution. My office will continue to work to ensure justice for Nicole Montalvo, her family, and the citizens of Osceola County,” Gibson wrote.

Watch raw footage of Ayala’s news conference below:

Watch: State Attorney Aramis Ayala discusses St. Cloud mother's slaying State Attorney Aramis Ayala spoke outside the courthouse to voice her frustration with the ongoing investigation.