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Killing of Laken Riley
Undated photo of Laken Riley
Location	University of Georgia—Oconee Forest Park, Athens, Georgia, U.S.
Coordinates	33°55′40″N 83°22′22″W / 33.9279°N 83.3728°W / 33.9279; -83.3728
Date	February 22, 2024 9 a.m.—1 p.m (EST)
Attack type	Homicide by blunt trauma and asphyxiation
Victim	Laken Riley
Motive	Unknown
Accused	José Antonio Ibarra
Charges	Felony murder (3 counts) Malice murder Kidnapping with bodily injury Aggravated battery Aggravated assault with intent to rape False imprisonment Hindering an Emergency telephone call Concealing the death of another Peeping Tom

On February 22, 2024, Laken Riley, a 22-year-old Augusta University nursing student, was killed while she was jogging at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia. Her body was found in Oconee Forest Park near Lake Herrick; her death was caused by blunt force trauma and asphyxiation.

The suspect, José Antonio Ibarra, is a 26-year-old Venezuelan who had entered the United States illegally. He was arrested by UGA police and has been charged with 10 charges, including felony murder, malice murder, false imprisonment, aggravated assault with intent to rape, and kidnapping. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The trial started on November 15, 2024.

The killing of Riley made international news, generating extensive media attention. It sparked a debate over immigration in the United States after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed Ibarra is not a U.S. citizen and was caught crossing the border but was released into the United States. On March 7, 2024, the House of Representatives passed an immigration bill named the Laken Riley Act, requiring federal detention of migrants who commit burglary or theft.

Laken Riley

Laken Hope Riley, was born on January 10, 2002, in Marietta, Georgia, to Jason Riley and Allyson Phillips. She had three siblings. In 2020, she graduated from River Ridge High School in Woodstock, Georgia, where she was a member of the cross-country team.

Riley was a 22-year-old nursing student at Augusta University in Athens, Georgia, who had previously attended the University of Georgia as an undergraduate. She was an active member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority.

Killing

On February 22, 2024, Riley went for a morning run at University of Georgia (UGA). During her attack, Riley's phone called 911. Riley was attacked and killed between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., according to the warrants.

At 12:07 p.m., Riley's roommate reported her disappearance to the UGA police after she did not return. At 12:38 p.m., Riley's body was discovered by UGA police in Oconee Forest Park behind Lake Herrick. Her death was caused by blunt force trauma and asphyxiation, according to Athens-Clarke County Coroner. UGA police described Riley's killing as a "crime of opportunity" and reported that the killer appeared to have acted alone. There had not been a murder in the university since 1983.

Suspect

The suspect is 26-year-old Venezuelan, José Antonio Ibarra, who had entered the United States illegally in September 2022, crossing the US's southern border with Mexico near El Paso, Texas. Ibarra was apprehended by federal authorities after crossing the border, who subsequently released him into the US. Ibarra initially stayed at the Roosevelt Hotel migrant shelter in New York before taking a flight to Georgia. UGA police stated that he lived in an apartment complex about 1 mile (1.6 km) from the wooded area where Riley's body was found. He had been previously arrested by both federal and state officials in multiple jurisdictions. ICE stated that it had missed opportunity to detain Ibarra after an arrest in New York because he was released by New York officials before a detainer could be issued. Ibarra had a bench warrant issued for his arrest in December 2023 after failing to appear in court in a shoplifting case in Georgia. On November 18, 2024, the New York Times wrote, "N.Y.C. Helped Migrant Accused of Killing Laken Riley Move to Georgia, Witness Says."

In October 2023, the suspect and his brother, who was reported by authorities to be a member of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua who temporarily worked at UGA, were arrested by Athens police on theft charges; both were released after reportedly possessing stolen merchandise from a local Walmart.

After Riley's killing, Ibarra was questioned by police after a jacket with Riley's hair was found in a dumpster near his apartment. Ibarra's roommate identified him as the man throwing away the jacket from surveillance footage of the dumpster. Police questioning Ibarra noticed red knuckles and scratches on his arms. Ibarra was subsequently arrested on murder charges.

Criminal proceedings

On May 8, 2024, the grand jury of Clarke County indicted the suspect with ten charges: three charges of felony murder, malice murder, false imprisonment, kidnapping, aggravated assault with intent to rape, hindering a 911 call, concealing the death of another and peeping Tom. He pleaded not guilty to all charges. Bail was denied. The district attorney is seeking the sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for the suspect. In a court filing, the defense attorneys submitted a motion to move the trial to another county due to the media attention surrounding the case, but Judge H. Patrick Haggard denied it.

Ibarra waived his right to a jury trial and opted for a bench trial, which began on November 15, 2024. Prosecutors presented evidence that included Ibarra's DNA under Riley's fingernails and Ibarra's fingerprint on Riley's phone screen. Ibarra's defense said that evidence against him was circumstantial.

Reactions

Tributes and media attention

Riley's funeral was held on March 1, 2024, at the Woodstock City Church. Riley was buried at Enon Cemetery in Woodstock, Georgia. Riley's killing became a "national political case" during what Forbes' Sara Dorn called a "historic surge in border crossings during Biden's tenure". The Laken Riley case drew widespread public interest and international media attention, especially in the United States. A memorial was made for Riley at Lake Herrick. Her family says they plan to establish a foundation in her honor. Her stepfather said: "She will be missed every day, but we promise to honor her life moving forward in a very big way". Riley's family started an online fund to raise money for the foundation, called the "Laken Hope Riley Foundation".

Riley's parents, Jason Riley and Allyson Phillips, were invited to the State of the Union by Georgia Congressman Mike Collins, but they turned down his invitation. Donald Trump mentioned Riley during his speech for the Republican Party's presidential nomination. President Joe Biden mentioned the killing of Riley during the 2024 State of the Union address, after Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene shouted Riley's name at the president. Biden was criticized by Democratic members of Congress for referring to Riley's suspected killer as "an illegal" instead of "undocumented", for which he later expressed regret.

Laken Riley Act

On March 7, 2024, the House of Representatives passed the Laken Riley Act in a 251–170 vote, with 37 Democratic members joining all Republican members in voting for the bill. If enacted, the Laken Riley Act would mandate federal detention of migrants who commit burglary or theft and would allow states to file suit against the federal government for failing to enforce immigration laws.

The Laken Riley Act was introduced in the United States Senate on March 12, 2024. The author of the Laken Riley Act, Alabama Senator Katie Britt, is calling for Senate passage before the trial.

See also

• Immigration and crime
• Murder of Mollie Tibbetts – Iowa university student who was killed by an illegal immigrant while she was jogging in 2018
• Killing of Jocelyn Nungaray – 12-year-old Houston girl who was sexually assaulted and killed in June 2024, allegedly by two illegal immigrants

Notes

1. According to Georgia state law on "Peeping Tom," a person violates the statute when they enter or remain on another's premises with the intent to act as a peeping tom. In this case, the suspect was charged for allegedly going to a University of Georgia apartment building on the same day as the murder, looking through a window and spying on a student.

References

1. ^ Sayers, Devon; Levenson, Eric (May 31, 2024). "Man accused of killing nursing student Laken Riley indicted on murder and 'peeping Tom' charges". CNN.
2. ^ "Suspect in Georgia nursing student's murder is accused of "disfiguring her skull," court documents say". CBS News. February 27, 2024. Archived from the original on March 2, 2024. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
3. ^ Wolfe, Elizabeth; Razek, Raja; Yan, Holly (February 26, 2024). "Augusta University student killed while jogging at UGA honored at vigil as the suspect's immigration status fuels debate". CNN. Archived from the original on March 2, 2024. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
4. Mayorquin, Orlando; Fadulu, Lola; Ortiz, Aimee (February 22, 2024). "Suspect Is Arrested in Killing of Woman on U. of Georgia Campus". The New York Times. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
5. ^ Deliso, Meredith (May 8, 2024). "Grand jury indicts Laken Riley murder suspect on 10 counts". ABC News.
6. ^ Groves, Stephen (March 7, 2024). "House Republicans push bill to detain migrants accused of theft after Georgia student killed". AP News. Archived from the original on March 8, 2024. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
7. Mascaro, Lisa; Groves, Stephen (March 8, 2024). "Biden says her name — Laken Riley — at the urging of GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene". AP News. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
8. ^ Fortin, Jacey (February 28, 2024). "The Killing at U. of Georgia: What We Know". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 2, 2024. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
9. ^ "Man accused of killing nursing student Laken Riley pleads not guilty in Georgia court". CBS News. May 31, 2024.
10. ^ "Murder trial begins for man accused of killing Georgia student Laken Riley". NPR. November 15, 2024.
11. ^ Bennett, Brian (February 28, 2024). "Biden Touts Crime Record as Laken Riley Case Dominates Conservative Media". Time. Archived from the original on March 2, 2024. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
12. ^ Talbot, Haley (March 7, 2024). "House passes Laken Riley Act". CNN. Archived from the original on March 7, 2024. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
13. "Laken Hope Riley". Poole Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
14. ^ "Laken Riley: Funeral services for murdered nursing student". Fox 5 Atlanta. March 1, 2024. Archived from the original on March 2, 2024. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
15. Cavallier, Andrea (February 23, 2024). "A nursing student went for a morning jog on campus and never returned. Her body was found shortly after lunch later that day". The Independent. Archived from the original on March 2, 2024. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
16. Kersh, Lilly; Mawn, Allison (February 23, 2024). "Student found dead on UGA campus identified as 22-year-old Laken Riley". The Red & Black. Archived from the original on March 2, 2024. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
17. ^ Acosta, Nicole (February 23, 2024). "Suspect Arrested After Ga. College Student Who Went on Jog Was Found Dead". People. Archived from the original on March 2, 2024. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
18. ^ Alvarado, Amanda (March 6, 2024). "Laken Riley's phone called 911 during her death". CBS KKTV 11.
19. "Laken Riley murder: Jose Ibarra asks for jury trial". FOX 5 Atlanta. March 15, 2024.
20. ^ Lynch, Jamiel; Faheid, Dalia (February 29, 2024). "Suspect in University of Georgia killing didn't know victim and is not a student on the campus, police say". CNN. Archived from the original on March 2, 2024. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
21. Manins, Rosie (February 29, 2024). "Laken Riley case: Man charged in UGA campus killing won't seek bond". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on March 2, 2024. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
22. Matza, Max (May 8, 2024). "Laken Riley: Venezuelan charged with murdering Georgia nurse". BBC News.
23. ^ Rissman, Kelly (February 29, 2024). "What we know about Jose Antonio Ibarra, the man charged with murdering a Georgia nursing student". The Independent. Archived from the original on March 2, 2024. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
24. Dean, Hope (February 23, 2024). "Student's death at University of Georgia marks first on-campus homicide since 1983". Atlanta News First.
25. ^ "Augusta University student killed while jogging at UGA honored at vigil as the suspect's immigration status fuels debate". CNN. February 26, 2024.
26. Manins, Rosie (February 26, 2024). "Laken Riley case: Suspect had been arrested by federal, local authorities". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on March 7, 2024. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
27. N.Y.C. Helped Migrant Accused of Killing Laken Riley Move to Georgia, Witness Says, New York Times, November 18, 2024, Archive
28. Reyes, Ronny (March 7, 2024). "Brother of Laken Riley's suspected killer has ties to Venezuelan gang: prosecutors". Retrieved June 14, 2024.
29. Markham, Devan (March 7, 2024). "University of Georgia murder suspect's brother charged in federal court". NewsNation. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
30. Lonnroth, Lars (March 6, 2024). "Brother of suspected UGA killer accused of being gang member in new court filings". WMAZ-TV. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
31. Zuzunaga Ruiz, Roger (March 10, 2024). "¿Quién es el presunto miembro del Tren de Aragua detenido en Georgia, Estados Unidos?" [Who is the alleged member of the Tren de Aragua detained in Georgia, United States?]. El Comercio (in Spanish). ISSN 1605-3052. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
32. Edmonds, Colbi; Sassoon, Alessandro Marazzi (February 29, 2024). "For Suspect in U. of Georgia Killing, an Obscure Trail Across States". The New York Times.
33. Fuenmayor, Rafael (March 8, 2024). "Vinculan con la banda criminal Tren de Aragua al hermano del migrante detenido en Georgia por la muerte de una universitaria". Telemundo (in Spanish). Retrieved March 11, 2024.
34. "Laken Riley murder suspect seen with multiple scratches day after killing: Officers". ABC News. November 18, 2024.
35. ^ "DA not seeking death penalty for accused Laken Riley killer Jose Ibarra". FOX 5 Atlanta. May 31, 2024.
36. Hassan, Adeel; Sullivan, Eileen; Marazzi Sassoon, Alessandro (February 24, 2024). "Suspect in Killing at U. of Georgia Is Denied Bond as a Shaken Campus Mourns". The New York Times.
37. Thanawala, Sudhin (August 2, 2024). "Attorneys for man charged with killing Georgia nursing student ask judge to move trial". Associated Press.
38. "Laken Riley murder: Jose Ibarra trial set for November as judge rules on pretrial motions". Fox 5 Atlanta. October 29, 2024.
39. Marazzi Sassoon, Alessandro (March 1, 2024). "More Than a Thousand Mourners Pack Church to Honor Student Killed in Georgia". The New York Times.
40. Rayne, Robin (March 1, 2024). "Family and Friends Remember Laken Riley". Cherokee Tribune Ledger News.
41. Dorn, Sara (February 27, 2024). "What To Know About Laken Riley Murder: GOP Demands Details On Accused Killer's Immigration Status". Forbes. Archived from the original on March 2, 2024. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
42. International Media Sources:
    • Matza, Max (May 8, 2024). "Laken Riley: Venezuelan charged with murdering Georgia nurse". BBC News.
    • Pilkington, Ed (May 8, 2024). "Suspect in killing of Georgia student Laken Riley charged with murder". The Guardian.
    • Del Rey, Michelle (May 8, 2024). "Laken Riley's accused murderer charged with 'peeping' on day she was killed". The Independent.
43. Rojas, Rick (May 8, 2024). "Suspect in Laken Riley's Killing Indicted on Murder and Other Charges". The New York Times.
44. Silva, Caroline (February 24, 2024). "UGA death: How to support Laken Riley's family". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
45. "Laken Hope Riley Foundation to be establish in honor of Georgia nursing student". Fox 5 Atlanta. February 27, 2024.
46. "Laken Riley's parents decline invite to State of the Union by Rep. Mike Collins". March 6, 2024.
47. "Donald Trump mentions murdered UGA student Laken Riley in RNC speech". FOX 5 Atlanta. July 19, 2024.
48. Samuels, Brett (March 7, 2024). "Biden spars with Greene over immigration, Laken Riley during State of the Union". The Hill. Archived from the original on March 8, 2024. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
49. Collins, Michael (March 7, 2024). "Biden mentions Laken Riley in State of the Union, calls man accused of killing her an 'illegal'". USA Today. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
50. Woodward, Alex (March 8, 2024). "Biden faces 'beyond disappointed' Democrats after calling suspected killer 'an illegal'". The Independent.
51. Schneider, Elena (March 8, 2024). "Biden campaign launches $30M ad onslaught". Politico.
52. Marquez, Alexandra (March 9, 2024). "Biden says he regrets referring to 'an illegal' and defends direct criticism of Supreme Court in State of the Union". NBC News.
53. Mitchell, Tia (March 7, 2024). "US House passes Laken Riley Act requiring ICE to detain more immigrants". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on March 7, 2024. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
54. S.3933 - Laken Riley Act, congress.gov
55. S.3933 - Laken Riley Act text, congress.gov
56. Author of Laken Riley bill seeks Senate passage ahead of trial, November 13, 2024, wrdw.com

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Located in: Athens, Georgia
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