Jose Ibarra, an undocumented migrant from Venezuela, is charged murdering 22-year-old Georgia nursing student Laken Riley. Riley was killed while jogging at the University of Georgia on 22 February, 2024. Riley’s body was found near Lake Herrick after she didn’t return home from a morning run. A 10-count indictment accuses Ibarra of hitting the 22-year-old Augusta University College of Nursing student in the head, asphyxiating her and pulling up her clothing with the intent to sexually assault her. Ibarra is also accused of attempted rape and spying on another student. Investigators say they were able to identify Ibarra as a potential suspect when they searched his brother’s apartment, where he lives. During the search, two of Jose Ibarra’s cell phones were seized but were not searched until a later warrant was obtained. Ibarra was arrested that day on an outstanding warrant before being charged with Riley’s murder. |