Man suspected of killing nursing student on University of Georgia campus likely didn’t know her, police say

ATLANTA, Ga. (WANF/Gray News) - A man facing murder charges in connection to the death of a nursing student on the University of Georgia campus was denied bond by a judge Saturday morning in Athens.

Jose Antonio Ibarra, 26, faces charges of malice and felony murder, aggravated battery, kidnapping, concealing the death of another and several other charges in connection to the death of 22-year-old Laken Riley.

UGA Police Chief Jeffrey Clark said it is believed Ibarra, who lived in Athens but was not a U.S. citizen, did not know Riley.

“I think this was a crime of opportunity,” Clark said.

Riley was a student at August University’s College of Nursing in Athens. A friend of Riley called the university police on Thursday after she didn’t return from a run at the intramural fields. About 20 minutes into their search, police found Riley’s body in a wooded area behind Lake Herrick. She was pronounced dead at the scene, her cause of death believed to be blunt force trauma, according to law enforcement.

Police later announced foul play was suspected in her death.

On Friday, several law agencies took three people, including Ibarra, into custody at an apartment complex, just south of several trails that lead to where Riley’s body was found. Ultimately only Ibarra was arrested in connection to her death.

Police said that they are not searching for any more suspects but that they’re “work, however, is not done,” with Clark adding that investigators are still searching Ibarra’s apartment. Officers were also seen Friday afternoon searching a nearby dumpster while state troopers searched trash cans at a nearby bus stop and gas station.

Clark also reported there was no immediate threat of danger following the arrest.

“This is heartbreaking. This a heartbreaking time for the university,” Jeffrey Clark, UGA police chief said.

The University of Georgia released a statement Saturday regarding Riley’s death, saying in part that Ibarra’s arrest does not “erase the fact that a vibrant young life was senselessly taken on our campus.”

According to the statement, Riley was a student at UGA before she transferred to Augusta University in May 2023 and remained active with her sorority at UGA.

“Many of you are understandably scared, and all of us are angry,” the statement said in part. The university also said they are aware that the “sense of safety” on campus has been violated and said it will take “hard work and vigilance to restore it.”

Riley’s death is the first homicide on the university’s campus in 30 years, according to the statement.

The university said that there is “no higher priority” than the safety and security of their students, staff and employees, and are evaluating their current safety measures.

“This is an ongoing and exhaustive effort,” the university said, adding that just earlier this week additional lighting improvements and security camera installations had been approved.

Augusta University also released a statement on Facebook, extending their “deepest sympathies” to Riley’s family.

“This sudden loss of one of our students is truly heartbreaking,” the university said. “Please keep Laken’s family, friends and fellow nursing students in your thoughts and prayers.”

A vigil will take place at 3 p.m. Monday a the Tate Student Center honoring Riley and another student who died on the UGA campus this week.

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