Nursing student who disappeared while running is found dead on University of Georgia campus
02/23/2024 2:35 pm PST
UPDATE (Feb. 23, 2024): University of Georgia Police Chief Jeffrey Clark announced Friday night that 26-year-old Jose Antonio Ibarra was arrested and being charged with with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, hindering a 911 call, and concealing the death of another for the killing of Laken Riley.
She died from blunt force trauma.
Ibarra reportedly lives in Athens, the same city as the university, but is not from the United States.
Clark said investigators obtained "robust" evidence from campus video footage and conducting interviews.
Clark believes Riley's killing was a "crime of opportunity" and she and Ibarra did not appear to have a prior relationship.
Clark said of Ibarra, "This was an individual who woke up with bad intentions."
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ATHENS, Ga. (TCD) -- A suspect is reportedly in police custody after a 22-year-old nursing student was found dead on the University of Georgia campus.
According to a statement, on Thursday, Feb. 22, at 12:07 p.m., Laken Riley's friend contacted the University of Georgia Police Department to express concern that the nursing student had not returned from her run. Riley left that morning to jog around the Intramural Fields, but never made it back.
University officers responded to the area at approximately 12:20 p.m. and soon found Riley on the ground unconscious and not breathing. Police said she had "visible injuries" and rendered aid until paramedics arrived. She was declared deceased at the scene.
Riley was a student at the University of Georgia up until spring 2023 when she transferred to Augusta University College of Nursing. Her death is being investigated as a homicide.
The Augusta University College of Nursing said in a statement Riley was a "bright and dedicated" student who was supposed to graduate in 2025. She made the Dean's List in fall 2023.
University of Georgia Police announced Friday, Feb. 23, that they arrested a suspect and there were no threats to the rest of the campus.
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