Found Deceased GA - University of Georgia Laken Hope Riley, 22, found dead near University of Georgia intramural fields, foul play suspected, 22 Feb 2024

[NyxNY]

I didn't hear the word illegal. Did they say that?

Not confirmed one way or the other. That said, the area is having the same problems many towns are facing across the US with “bus drops” and housing.

 

[cuecard]

Since he's charged with hindering a 911 call, I wonder if Laken called 911 before/during assault??? Just thinking aloud.

jmo

That was my initial thought too. I wonder if he has spooked her during her run, something has been said/done between them and she's called 911 then it's all escalated.

 

[gingerbread]

So no SA… just a random murder? Or perhaps she fought back and he decided to just kill her when he couldn’t continue an SA?

These are my thoughts too. Hindering a 911 call implies that she fought and tried to make a call for help. I wonder if the call was completed but disconnected and that’s why the police went so quickly when the roommate called. I am heartbroken and livid.

 

[airportwoman]

The false imprisonment and kidnapping charges make me wonder if that amounts to dragging her behind some bushes or if he actually took her somewhere.

That's possible, but even if he just stood in her way, that could lead to increased charges on top of this.

 

[TexLil]

A picture is included here -

Athens man charged with murder of student on UGA campus (classiccitynews.com)

MOO.. Doesn't resemble RM perp to me. MOO

 

[bestill]

So no SA… just a random murder? Or perhaps she fought back and he decided to just kill her when he couldn’t continue an SA?

He may have not had time, she was found very quickly after she was reported missing. I pray he didn't.

 

[ag513]

Since he's charged with hindering a 911 call, I wonder if Laken called 911 before/during assault??? Just thinking aloud.

jmo

That's what I was thinking when I saw that, too.

 

[vls12345]

I never understand what citizenship status has to do with anything. Let it come up in the border debates, but a press conference about an arrest should be about justice for the VICTIM of the crime, not politics.

MOO.

I can agree somewhat. But relevant factors may come into play like his country protesting something about his arrest or trial or punishment, etc. It may ultimately affect how the state of GA could prosecute or sentence him.

Imo.

 

[Moonstrawbs]

Sketch of RM perp to Jose Ibarra...

Athens man charged with murder of student on UGA campus

Murder victim Laken Riley By Joe Johnson An Athens man was arrested Friday in connection with the death of a woman whose body was discovered the day before in a wooded area of the University of Georgia campus.Jose IbarraJose Antonio Ibarra, 26, was taken into custody Friday afternoon at an...

www.classiccitynews.com

 

[Sustained]

Senseless and horrific.

Kudos to the police and detectives for getting the suspect incredibly quickly.

UGA police chief said they employed video and other tech to track the suspect down. The idiot probably had Laken's cell phone with him.

 

[Inthedetails]

I never understand what citizenship status has to do with anything. Let it come up in the border debates, but a press conference about an arrest should be about justice for the VICTIM of the crime, not politics.

MOO.

If he were from Missouri, they would mention that. If he grew up locally, they would mention that. He is from another country, and they mentioned that. We know where the victim is from, for example.

jmo

 

[layer]

I'm just nauseous. Does it seem like things are getting worse? Or has it always been open season on women & children.

 

[BeginnerSleuther]

I can agree somewhat. But relevant factors may come into play like his country protesting something about his arrest or trial or punishment, etc. It may ultimately affect how the state of GA could prosecute or sentence him.

Imo.

Then it becomes relevant at that point. But realistically, unless it's some diplomat or someone in government/a VIP in another country, no country is going to step up to claim a random murderer who committed the crime in America, especially a crime like this where a perfectly innocent young woman was brutally killed at random. <modsnip> MOO

 

[imstilla.grandma]

"I think this was a crime of opportunity," Clarke said, adding the evidence suggests Ibarra acted alone and that Riley's killing was an isolated incident.

Riley was a 22-year-old nursing student at another school. She disappeared while on a run and her cause of death was reported to be blunt force trauma.

Reported undocumented migrant arrested in the murder of Georgia nursing student

The police chief at the University of Georgia named the man accused of killing nursing student Laken Hope Riley on campus.

kfoxtv.com

During Friday’s press conference, the suspect was identified as 26-year-old Jose Antonio Ibarra who is now being charged with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping and concealing the death of another. Police are working on obtaining arrest warrants. Chief Clark says it does not appear that Ibarra and Riley knew each other before the incident.

26-year-old man identified as suspect in UGA homicide investigation

ATHENS, Ga. (WSAV) — The University of Georgia’s Police Department along with local law enforcement agencies are investigating after a woman’s body was found near the intramural fields …

www.wsav.com

 

[JerseyWasHome2]

So sad and scary.

I wonder how early she went out running in the morning. I think people have a false sense of security in the morning. From having hiked once by myself in the morning, and from paying attention to local crime, I consider before 9 am (certainly before 8:30 am) to be among the most dangerous hours of the day to be out by yourself. Hiking early evening, even in the dark, has always felt safer. But Rachel Morin, Mollie Tibbets, etc. of course just go to show that there is no safe time.

I think tracking apps also give a false sense of security. They offer no security, just the potential to report something happening earlier. And some people even tell their friends to be on the phone with them while walking alone, even though that actually makes them more of a target.

I try to be conscious of having witnesses, avoiding opportunities, and avoiding someone learning a pattern. But sometimes, all that means is I know when I’m taking a greater risk. One trail I used to hike, I felt safe-ish hiking by myself in the dark, but I tried to keep to a “make sure there are always two separate hikers in sight” rule (the “two” there is critical). The walk to/from my car to that trail was very much not safe, though. Now I hike a trail that doesn’t pass the “two parties always in sight” rule, but the walk to access it is much safer. And I think the nature of the trail itself doesn’t present a great opportunity.

One thing I did buy for hiking by myself is a very loud personal alarm that is activated by just pulling it off your waistband/wherever you clip it to. This is a good reminder for me to start using it consistently. Not sure we can post links to products here, but message me if you want the link.

I agree about the tracking apps.

Eliza Fletcher in TN jogged in a nice neighborhood near the college in the early hours of the morning, around 4:30am, if I’m recalling correctly, and her case did not end well.

 

[BeginnerSleuther]

If he were from Missouri, they would mention that. If he grew up locally, they would mention that. He is from another country, and they mentioned that. We know where the victim is from, for example.

jmo

I have yet to see a murder case where the perp is identified by his state of origin during the press conference. The only time it appears to be relevant is when they're not a US citizen. MOO.

 

[Inthedetails]

I have yet to see a murder case where the perp is identified by his state of origin during the press conference. The only time it appears to be relevant is when they're not a US citizen. MOO.

I can recall background info about suspects and reporters usually ask if it is not provided, but I'm certainly not going to argue about this.

jmo

 

[Crosscntrymom]

Sorry for the ask, joining late. Can you pls clarify what “RM perp” refers to? The sketch posted above and this perp look identical IMHO

 

[Inthedetails]

Sorry for the ask, joining late. Can you pls clarify what “RM perp” refers to? The sketch posted above and this perp look identical IMHO

RM is another woman who was killed while jogging.

 

[JerseyWasHome2]

Sorry for the ask, joining late. Can you pls clarify what “RM perp” refers to? The sketch posted above and this perp look identical IMHO

Rachel Morin, murdered while jogging on a very busy trail in Maryland. Her killer has not been found.