Sophia Flores of OAN
6:35pm – Friday, February 23, 2024
A suspect is in police custody after the murder of a nursing student was discovered on the University of Georgia campus.
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Laken Hope Riley, 22, a nursing student at Augusta University’s College of Nursing, was reported missing by her roommate Thursday after she didn’t return home after an uncharacteristic run.
Shortly afterward, authorities conducted an extensive search for the missing student and found the student “not breathing” with “visible injuries” in a wooded area near Herrick Lake. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Meanwhile, the suspect was taken into custody by law enforcement on Friday.
“The suspect in the murder of Laken Riley has been taken into custody at the University of Georgia Police Department,” University Police said in a statement. “At this time, there is no indication that there is an ongoing threat to the UGA campus related to this matter.”
University of Georgia Police say Jose Antonio Ybarra, 26, has been charged with malicious murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, interfering with a 911 call and concealing the death of another. did.
Police believe the 26-year-old Athens, Georgia, man, who is not a U.S. citizen, “likely did not know the victim.”
“Rest assured that the University of Georgia Police Department, in collaboration with the Athens-Clarke County Police Department and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, will continue to work around the clock to solve this crime and bring everyone involved to justice.” said Greg Trevor, a university spokesperson. This was announced by the University of Georgia.
Three people were taken into custody Friday morning at an apartment complex near the crime scene, before Ybarra’s name was released. However, it is unclear whether Ibarra was one of the three people taken.
All classes at the University of Georgia have been canceled through Monday due to growing unrest and controversy on campus. Additionally, classes at Augusta University’s Athens campus are also canceled.
The university announced that the campus will remain open as a gathering place for students, faculty and staff.
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