Friends, family and community members gathered Friday afternoon at Woodstock City Church in Woodstock, Georgia, to remember Laken Riley, a 22-year-old Augusta University nursing student who was allegedly killed by an illegal immigrant on February 22. .
Riley was jogging on a dirt path near Herrick Lake on the University of Georgia campus on Thursday morning when she was allegedly attacked and killed by José Antonio Ibarra, a 26-year-old Venezuelan national. She died from blunt force trauma to her head.
Rain was pouring down in Woodstock during the funeral, but her obituary described her as “passionate,” “kind-hearted,” and “a wonderful daughter, sister, friend, and overall extraordinary person.” Hundreds of people gathered to remember the acclaimed nursing student.
“When you lose someone like Laken, who always shined brightly, the world becomes even darker in their absence,” Woodstock City Church senior pastor Summer Massad said in a statement to Fox News on Friday. “Raken was a special person. To everyone who knew her, she was a gift. Smart, kind, caring, and thoughtful, we don’t just scratch the surface. She was a loving person. She was a profound daughter, sister, and friend. She had a talent for creating things.” Everyone around her felt safe and seen. But what was most special to Laken was his faith in Jesus. ”
Laken Riley murder exposes glaring lack of security on college campuses; urgent need for blue lights
On Friday, March 1, 2024, after a memorial service attended by more than 1,000 people, the hearse carrying UGA student Laken Riley’s casket leaves Woodstock City Church and heads to a small cemetery. (Robin Lane, Fox News Digital)
Laken Riley poses for a photo to post on Facebook. Riley, a nursing student at the University of Georgia, was found dead near a lake on campus on Thursday, February 22, 2024. (Alison Phillips/Facebook)
The pastor added that Riley “didn’t just believe” in his faith. “She lived it.”
“And because of her faith, even in difficult days like today, we can grieve her death and celebrate her life with the hope that she is now in the presence of her Savior, Jesus. “We are working hard,” Massad said. “We will miss her very much. The Laken family is family to us, and as their church family, we here at Woodstock City Church walk with them and carry this burden with them. We are committed to carrying you. To John, Alison, and Lauren, we love you.” We really do, and we are with you! ”
Thursday, February 29, 2024 Red, black, and red are among the University of Georgia colors memorials mounted on a tree in preparation for the funeral of UGA nursing student Laken Riley on Friday at a church in the city of Woodstock. Decorated with white ribbon. (Robin Lane, Fox News Digital)
Laken Riley’s murder suspect lived within a 5-minute walk of the Uga crime scene.
On Wednesday, Riley’s mother, Alison Phillips, shared memories of her daughter that she heard from one of Riley’s former teachers. Teacher Gina Ann Carlton Riggs shared a photo of a project Riley made when she was in first grade when she was asked to write a book sharing what she wanted to do in the future.
“When I grow up, I want to be a nurse because being a nurse helps treat people’s illnesses and helping people seems like a lot of fun,” Riley, who was in first grade at the time, wrote. “If I work, I want $10,000. I’m not getting married.”[d] I will live with my family until I die. ”
Laken Riley’s first grade teacher, Gina Ann Riggs, shared a photo of a project Riley made when she was asked to write a book in which she shared with her class what she wanted to do in the future. (Facebook/Gina Ann Riggs)
Carlton Riggs told Fox News Digital that Riley “taught at the school for 17 years” and that Riley was in his first-grade class “from 2008 to 2009.”
“She had the kindest spirit,” Carlton Riggs said in an emailed statement. “She was always smiling and had a contagious giggle. She was just the perfect student. The other moms and I were looking for old photos for our families. We went on field trips and… There were many precious memories such as class performances, and classroom activities.
Laken Riley poses for a photo to post on Facebook. Riley, a nursing student at the University of Georgia, was found dead near a lake on campus on Thursday, February 22, 2024. (Laken Riley/Facebook)
On Monday, UGA and Augusta University students gathered at UGA’s Tate Plaza to remember Riley and his beloved classmates, including student Wyatt Banks, who died by suicide just days before Riley’s murder.
Laken Riley murder: Suspected murder of illegal immigrant shocks Uga campus students and joggers nationwide
Chloe Maris, president of the UGA Alpha Chi Omega chapter, of which Riley was a member, described the 22-year-old as a “devoted Christian, sister, student, daughter, and friend.” did.
Laken Riley poses for a photo to post on Facebook. Riley, a nursing student at the University of Georgia, was found dead near a lake on campus on Thursday, February 22, 2024. (Laken Riley/Facebook)
“It’s clear to me why it feels so dark right now, and it’s because we’ve lost one of the brightest lights ever,” Maris said. “This campus and our sisterhood will never be the same without Laken Riley.
“She was dedicated to making this world a better place.”
“Rayken showed dedication in every aspect of her life, whether it was nursing school, the Alpha Chi banner chair or being a great runner,” Maris said. ”she was devoted There is no doubt that she would have been a great nurse to make this world a better place. It is shocking that the world will never have such an opportunity. ”
Augusta University students and University of Georgia students wearing blue gather at Tate Plaza on the UGA campus on Monday, February 26, 2024, in Athens, Georgia, to remember Laken Riley, a nursing student at Augusta University’s Athens campus. She was found dead on Thursday, February 22, after her roommate reported that she had not returned from a morning run in a wooded area near an intramural field on the UGA campus. UGA students also gathered to remember a student who died by suicide last week. (Nell Carroll/Atlanta Journal – Constitution via AP)
Riley’s murder shocked not only the Athens, Georgia, university community, but the nation. Politicians and experts have pointed to the border crisis and lax enforcement of immigration laws as reasons why Ybarra was allegedly able to commit this gruesome crime.
Laken Riley murder suspect’s brother fired from Uga city after presenting fake passport
Four days after Riley’s death, the White House issued a statement following news that an arrest had been made in connection with Ybarra’s brutal murder.
Following the wake, dozens of UGA female students walked in single file to lay roses at Alpha Chi Omega House on the school’s campus. (Fox News Digital)
“We would like to express our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Laken Hope Riley,” the White House press secretary told Fox News Digital. “If found guilty, people should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Given that this is an ongoing case, referrals will need to be made to state law enforcement and ICE. ”
Georgia murder suspect identified as illegal immigrant
Former President Trump also spoke about Riley’s death Thursday during a visit to the U.S.-Mexico border.
“A beautiful 22-year-old nursing student from Georgia was brutally attacked. She was on her morning run… She was a beautiful young woman,” President Trump said Thursday. “I spoke to her parents yesterday. They are wonderful people. They are incredibly devastated. She was so beautiful in so many ways.”
President Trump said she was “brutally assaulted, severely beaten, kidnapped and brutally murdered.”
“The monster charged with this murder is an illegal alien immigrant brought to our country by crooked Joe Biden and unleashed on our communities,” the former president continued.
University of Georgia murder suspect Jose Ybarra lived within a five-minute walk of the scene where he allegedly killed 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley on February 22nd. (Mark Sims for Fox News Digital/Laken Riley/Jose Ibarra)
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Ibarra and her brother Diego Ibarra were living in an apartment complex in Athens illegally at the time Jose allegedly killed jogger Riley. Jose entered the country through the U.S.-Mexico border in 2022 and was paroled at the border. He initially lived in New York City, but later moved to a college town in Georgia.
Diego Ibarra was fired from his job as a dishwasher at the university after presenting fake green card documents, the school previously told Fox News Digital.
Fox News’ Michael Ruiz and Bill Melugin contributed to this report.
