Police arrest man in killing of nursing student at University of Georgia

Augusta University nursing student Laken Riley was found dead on the nearby University of Georgia campus Thursday

Riley was found in a wooded area on the University of Georgia campus

A 26-year-old man has been arrested and charged with the murder of nursing student Laken Riley, whose body was discovered on the University of Georgia campus after she went for a run, according to police.

Jose Antonio Ibarra, 26, was taken into custody on Friday for allegedly kidnapping and killing the 22-year-old Augusta University junior, UGA Police Chief Jeffrey Clark informed reporters at a press conference Friday night.

Ibarra, who is not a UGA student and is not a US Citizen, had no prior connection to Riley.

“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 stated.

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.”

Authorities were in the process of searching Ibarra’s apartment in Athens while Clark spoke, but he noted that police had gathered enough evidence to charge him prior to the execution of the search warrant.

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

While three or four persons of interest were questioned, Ibarra was the only one charged.

Clark emphasized that there is “no indication of a continuing threat to the community related to the case at this time.”

Ibarra faces charges of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, hindering a 911 call, and concealing the death of another.

It’s unclear what country Ibarra is from or what his legal status is in the country, Clark said.

Riley was reported missing by a friend after she went 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, according to UGA spokesperson Greg Trevor. “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.”