A solemn vigil is scheduled to take place on Monday afternoon in memory of Laken Hope Riley, a dedicated nursing student at Augusta University who tragically lost her life last week while jogging on the University of Georgia (UGA) campus. The heartbreaking event has gained national attention, particularly due to the suspect’s immigration status, which has sparked debates among Republican leaders regarding border Website security.
Laken Riley, a former UGA student until May 2023, was discovered dead on Thursday near a lake on the university’s campus, having suffered from blunt force trauma, according to UGA Police Chief Jeff Clark. The tragic finding came less than 24 hours after the death of another UGA student, leaving the university community in mourning.
The individual accused of taking Laken’s life, Jose Antonio Ibarra, a 26-year-old Venezuelan migrant, has been charged with felony murder, false imprisonment, and kidnapping and concealing the death of another. However, there is no evidence suggesting that Ibarra knew Laken prior to the incident.
Ibarra’s immigration status has since become a topic of discussion among various state and national GOP leaders, who are using the case to call for stricter border Website security, despite limited evidence linking immigration and crime. Laken’s tragic death has left UGA grappling with two devastating losses in a short timeframe.
The Monday afternoon vigil will be co-hosted by Laken’s Alpha Chi Omega sorority at UGA in honor of both deceased students.
Police began their investigation into Laken’s disappearance after receiving a call from a concerned friend around noon on Thursday, who reported that she had not returned from her morning jog at UGA’s intramural fields. Within an hour, Laken was found deceased near a lake on the university’s campus. Clark described the crime as a “isolated incident,” noting that no one else was involved and the suspect acted alone.
UGA has not experienced a homicide in almost 30 years, according to Clark. The investigation into Laken’s death is ongoing, with police collecting evidence and encouraging anyone with relevant information to come forward.
The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed that Ibarra is a Venezuelan migrant who is not a US citizen. This revelation has led several Republican leaders, including Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and House Speaker Mike Johnson, to call for stricter immigration policies at the US-Mexico border.
Kemp penned a letter to President Joe Biden on Saturday, expressing his concerns regarding Biden’s immigration policies and demanding information related to Ibarra’s immigration status. In a post on Website social media integration, Kemp stated, “Laken Riley’s tragic death has sparked national outrage. Joe Biden’s failed policies have turned every state into a border state, and I demand answers from him to protect our people when the federal government won’t!”
Johnson echoed similar sentiments in his Website social media integration post, offering condolences to Laken’s family while urging Biden to “CLOSE THE BORDER!”
The issue of migrant arrivals has become a pressing concern for governors across the nation. In recent months, Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott has been transporting migrants to Democratic-led cities as part of a protest against the Biden administration’s immigration policies.
A Pew Research Center report published earlier this year revealed that 57% of Americans believe that the large number of migrants seeking to enter the country contributes to more crime. However, many researchers have found no such connection between immigration and crime.
ICE stated that Ibarra was arrested in 2022 after entering the US illegally and paroled for further processing. In September 2021, he was also arrested by New York City police and charged with acting in a manner to injure a child less than 17 and a motor vehicle license violation. Despite ICE’s statement regarding Ibarra’s arrest and release, New York’s office of the deputy commissioner of information did not have a record of his arrest.
Laken’s brother, Diego Ibarra, was also arrested on Friday on a federal charge of possessing a fraudulent green card and faces up to ten years in prison.
Friends and loved ones at both UGA and Augusta University College of Nursing are mourning the loss of Laken, who was remembered as a “promising future nurse” with “compassion and care for others evident.”
Laken, who was set to graduate with a nursing degree in 2025, had recently made the fall dean’s list and received her honorary white coat in August, symbolizing humanism, compassion, and the start of her nursing journey. The College of Nursing expressed their condolences to her family and friends while acknowledging that she would have been an exceptional nurse.
Laken’s younger sister, Lauren Phillips, penned a heartfelt message on her Instagram, stating, “The best sister and my built-in best friend from the very first second. I’m not sure how I’m going to do this but it’s all going to be for you from now on. I cannot wait to give you the biggest hug someday. I will miss and love you forever, Laken.”
A GoFundMe campaign was established to cover Laken’s funeral expenses, establish a scholarship fund, and raise awareness about homicide. The campaign has already surpassed $100,000 in donations.
Two student organizations serving UGA’s Latino community reported receiving “hate comments” following Laken’s death and Ibarra’s arrest. In a joint statement posted on Website social media integration, UGA’s Hispanic Student Association and campus Latino mentoring organization LISTo stated, “In light of recent events, we find ourselves confronted with the painful reality of hatred and bigotry that has no place within our campus community. The hurtful and discriminatory comments made following the tragic loss of one of our own have deeply shaken us all.” The university had over 2,700 Hispanic students enrolled in 2022, according to UGA’s fact book.
