26-YEAR-OLD ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT CHARGED IN THE BEATING DEATH OF NURSING STUDENT LAKEN RILEY

     “Jose Antonio Ibarra Illegally Crossed Into El Paso In September 2022 & Was Released On Parole.”

Saturday, February 24, 2024, 3:00 P.M. ET. By Art Fletcher & Jennifer Hodges: Englebrook Independent News,

ATHENS, GA.- The Suspect in connection with The Murder of Laken Hope Riley an Augusta University College Nursing Student whose body was found Thursday afternoon in a wooded area near Lake Herrick on The University of Georgia Campus, has been Formally Charged with her Death.

     Jose Antonio Ibarra, 26, of Athens Georgia, who Illegally Crossed The U.S. Southern in El Paso, Texas in September 2022, has been Formally Charged with Malice Murder; Felony Murder; Aggravated Assault; Aggravated Battery; False Imprisonment; Kidnapping; Concealing the Death of Another; and Hindering a 911 Call. 

     Ibarra was booked into The Clarke County Jail Friday evening on The Charges.  He appeared for a brief Court Hearing this morning before Clarke County Magistrate Judge Donarell Green and was denied bond.

     During a Press Conference on Friday, University of Georgia Police Chief Jeff Clark said, “The Killing of Laken Hope Riley, a Junior on The Dean’s List at Augusta University appears to be a ‘Crime Of Opportunity’ by “An Individual Who Woke Up With Bad Intentions.” Clark further said, “the Suspect had no known connection to Riley and is not a University of Georgia Student.

     Autopsy results remained pending on Friday, but Clarke County Authorities are investigating Riley’s Death as a Homicide. Chief Clark said it appeared to have been killed by Blunt Force Trauma.

     During the investigation, Ibarra’s Older Brother Diego Ibarra of Venezuela was Charged Federally with Possession of False Government Documents, according to a statement from The U.S. Department of Justice. The statement also said that Diego Ibarra has a Criminal History in The Athens, Georgia area.