A 26-year-old man has been charged with the murder of nursing student Laken Riley, whose body was found after fleeing on the University of Georgia campus, police said.
Jose Antonio Ybarra, 26, was arrested Friday on suspicion of kidnapping and killing a 22-year-old Augusta University junior, UGA Police Chief Jeffrey Clark said at a press conference Friday night.
Clark said Ybarra is not a UGA student or a U.S. citizen. He and Riley had no previous relationship.
“He didn’t know her at all. I think this was a crime of opportunity where he witnessed an individual and something bad happened,” Clark said.
Riley, a dean’s list student and sorority member, was found dead with “visible injuries” in a wooded area near Herrick Lake around 12:38 p.m. Thursday. It was done.
Clark confirmed Friday that she died of “blunt force trauma.”
As Clark spoke, Ybarra’s apartment in Athens was being searched by authorities, but he said police had enough evidence to charge him before the search warrant was executed. .
“The evidence is solid. It is supported by significant community input, physical evidence, and the work of law enforcement experts. Importantly, video footage from the campus security camera network helps us Thank you very much,” Clark said.
Three or four people involved were questioned, but only Ibaila was charged.
“At this time, there is no indication that there is an ongoing threat to the community related to this incident,” Clark said.
Ybarra is charged with malicious murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, interfering with a 911 call and concealing the death of another person.
Clark said it was unclear which country Ybarra was from or his legal status there.
Police said Riley was reported missing by a friend after running around an intramural stadium on UGA’s East campus.
Riley transferred from the nearby University of Georgia to Augusta University’s nursing program after the spring 2023 semester, UGA spokesman Greg Trevor told UGA’s student newspaper, Red & Black.
“She was still active in the sorority.” [Alpha Chi Omega at UGA]. She was active and well known in the community and she was very well liked by all,” Trevor said.
This shocking death was the second on UGA’s campus in just 24 hours.
Another student was found dead in a dorm room on Wednesday, but police said Riley’s death was not related but did not provide further details.
UGA and Augusta University’s School of Nursing canceled classes Friday.
Chief Clark urged students to “travel in groups” and keep their “heads on a swivel.”
