Laken Riley.Photo:Laken Riley/ Facebook
Laken Riley/ Facebook
• Laken Riley was found dead after she went on a jog last week, per authorities• Jose Ibarra has been arrested and charged with murder and kidnapping in connection with Riley’s killing, according to court records• Riley was a nursing student at August University
A woman who lives in the same apartment complex asLaken Riley’salleged killer says she would often see the 22-year-old victim walk past their complex prior to her death, according to11 Alive.
Riley, a nursing student at Augusta University’s campus in Athens, Ga., wasfound slainnear a lake on Thursday, authorities previously said.
Jose Ibarra, 26, isaccused of murdering Rileywhen she was out on a jog on the University of Georgia campus.
He wasarrested last Fridayand has beencharged with several crimes— including murder, kidnapping and assault — in connection with Riley’s death, online court records show.
Jose Antonio Ibarra.Clarke County Sheriff’s Office
Clarke County Sheriff’s Office
Diego and Jose lived together in the same apartment complex, 11 Alive reports.
The neighbor, who spoke with 11 Alive on condition of anonymity, said a few minutes before Diego was arrested, he greeted her as they crossed paths.
Soon, he was seen talking to an officer who then reportedly handcuffed him, the woman said.
Since her death, Riley is beingremembered as a loyal friendwho “lit up every room she walked into.”
She “brought a smile on everyone’s face,” her former roommate Bianca Tiller said, perThe New York Times.
Laken Riley.Laken Riley/ Facebook
She was an experienced runner and her former coach, Keith Hooper, remembers her as an “unselfish individual,” perThe New York Times.
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The Ibarra brothers are Venezuelan citizens, per 11 Alive; Jose entered the U.S. unlawfully in 2022, according to immigration authorities,CBSreports.
The immigration status of Diego was not immediately clear.
Records do not indicate if he has entered a plea to the charges he is facing. Plea information for Diego was not available.
source: people.com
