UGA Death: Suspect Accused Of 'Disfiguring' GA Student's Skull: Report

ATHENS, GA — The man accused of killing a 22-year-old nursing student at the University of Georgia allegedly disfigured her skull and used an object as a weapon in her killing, the Associated Press reported Tuesday, citing arrest affidavits.

Authorities have not fully detailed how Laken Riley died Thursday; however, they previously said she died of blunt force trauma.

The Associated Press reported the suspect, Jose Ibarra, was accused of "dragging" Riley to a secluded area in efforts to conceal her death. The suspected crimes relating to Riley's death occurred between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., the outlet reported.

Riley was a student at the College of Nursing campus at Athens. She was reported missing by someone who said their friend had gone for an early morning run at UGA's Intramural Fields and did not return home as expected, UGA officials said Thursday.

UGA Police were alerted and conducted a welfare check. Officers found Riley unconscious in a forest behind Lake Herrick, officials said. She had visible injuries and died at the scene.

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Ibarra, 26, originally of Venezuela, was charged on suspicion of the following:

• Failure to appear for finger-printable charge
• Concealing the death of another person
• Kidnapping
• Obstructing/hindering a person from making an emergency telephone call
• False imprisonment
• Aggravated assault
• Aggravated battery
• Two counts of second-degree malice murder

The Associated Press reported Ibarra unlawfully entered the U.S. in 2022. He remained incarcerated Tuesday in the Clarke County Jail, records show.

His older brother was also arrested Thursday after being accused of having a fraudulent U.S. permanent resident card, Gov. Brian Kemp previously said.

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Riley was a Class of 2025 student and had received her honorary white coat in August 2023, per Augusta University officials in a Friday post on Facebook. She was a member of Alpha Chi Omega.

Alpha Chi and Kappa Sigma led a vigil Monday for Riley and a second student who died Wednesday night.

The university tweeted few photos from the vigil alongside the caption, "The last few days have been some of the most difficult in UGA's history as we have grieved the tragic loss of two members of the Bulldog family. We know the next few days, weeks and months will be hard, but Bulldogs never bark alone and we will make it through together."

According to her obituary, Riley was born on Jan. 10, 2002 in Marietta. She had an adoration for nursing and helping others, and was employed as a nanny for two children.

"Her smile was extremely infectious, and she spread joy to others everywhere she went. She was devoted to serving the Lord. She was always involved with church, Woodstock City Church and Watkinsville First Baptist Church. Her love for spreading God’s word led her to attend mission trips through the church. Her love for the Lord was exemplified in every aspect of her life. Laken was an amazing daughter, sister, friend and an overall extraordinary person. She will be missed every day, but we promise to honor her life moving forward in a very big way," read her obituary.

A visitation for Riley is scheduled from noon-2 p.m. Friday at Woodstock City Church, 150 Ridgewalk Pkwy. Services will follow at the church with Pastor Samer Massad officiating.