An illegal immigrant is being held over the death of missing Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts.

The suspect is being held on a federal immigration detainer, according to officials.

No other information has yet been given.

The 20-year-old's remains were found on Tuesday on a rural property in Poweshiek County close to the town of Guernsey, around 10 miles from Brooklyn, where Mollie vanished on July 18.

The FAA issued a no fly zone in the area which will last until Wednesday morning. It prevents news choppers from flying overhead.

Police are not releasing any information until 4pm local time but people working for Crime Stoppers to help find her say her family has been informed.
 

The student was staying alone overnight in her boyfriend's home the night she went missing and was last seen going for a jog in the neighborhood at around 8pm but what happened afterwards has remained a complete mystery for weeks.

Her boyfriend opened a Snapchat photograph from her at 10pm which appeared to suggest that she was indoors but it is not known what time Mollie sent it.