Laken Riley did not know suspected killer Jose Ibarra: cops

A 26-year-old man believed to have entered the US illegally has been charged with murdering nursing student Laken Riley, whose body was found on the University of Georgia campus after going for a run, according to police.

Jose Antonio Ibarra was arrested on Friday for allegedly kidnapping and killing the 22-year-old Augusta University junior, UGA Police Chief Jeffrey Clark told reporters at a press conference Friday night.

Ibarra was not a UGA student and is not a US Citizen, Clark said.

He and Riley had no prior relationship.

“He did not know her at all. I think this is a crime of opportunity where he saw an individual and bad things happened,” Clark said.

Ibarra is a Venezuelan national who illegally crossed the southern border into El Paso, Texas in September 2022, News Nation reported, citing multiple DHS sources. He was released from DHS custody over a lack of detention space, according to the outlet. 

Riley, a dean’s list student and sorority member, was found dead with “visible injuries” in a wooded area near Lake Herrick around 12:38 p.m. Thursday.

Clark confirmed Friday that she died of “blunt force trauma.”

Ibarra’s apartment in Athens was being searched by authorities while Clark spoke, but he said police had enough evidence to charge him before the search warrant was executed.

“The evidence is robust. It is supported by key input by the community, physical evidence and expert police work. Importantly, we were assisted by video footage from our campus security cameras network,” Clark said.

Three or four persons of interest had been questioned but only Ibaira was charged.

Clark said there’s “no indication of a continuing threat to the community related to the case at this time.”

Ibara is charged with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, hindering a 911 call and concealing the death of another.

Clark was unable to say what nation he is from or what his legal status is in the country at the time of the press conference. 

Riley was reported missing by a friend after going for a run around the Intramural Fields on UGA’s East Campus, police said.

Riley had transferred to the nursing program at Augusta University from the nearby University of Georgia after the spring 2023 semester, UGA spokesperson Greg Trevor told UGA’s student newspaper The Red & Black.

“She was still active in her sorority [Alpha Chi Omega at UGA]. She was active in the community and well known and from all accounts very well-liked,” Trevor said.

The shocking death was the second in just 24 hours on UGA’s campus.

Another student was found dead in a dorm room on Wednesday — which police said is not connected to Riley’s death but did not give additional details.

Both UGA and the Augusta University College of Nursing canceled classes Friday.

Chief Clark urged students to “travel in groups” and keep their “head on a swivel.”