UGA Deaths: Suspect Arrested In Woman's Killing; 2nd Student Dead ID'd

ATHENS, GA — A suspect has been arrested in connection with the killing of a 22-year-old Augusta University nursing student on the University of Georgia's campus.

UGA Police Chief Jeffrey Clark identified the suspect as 26-year-old Jose Antonio Ibarra, who he said had an apartment in Athens but is not a U.S. citizen. No other suspects have been arrested in the case, he said.

"At this time, there are no indications of a continuing threat to the UGA campus related to this matter," UGA officials said in an earlier news release.

Officials said Laken Riley, 22, was found dead Thursday at the campus' intramural fields. She was an UGA undergraduate until spring 2023 before transferring to the Augusta program, UGA said.

Riley died of blunt force trauma, Clark said at a brief Friday night news conference.

He said Ibarra was not known to Riley and said her death was a "crime of opportunity." He added Ibarra "saw an individual and bad things happened."

Clark told media Ibarra "woke up with bad intentions." Official charges are unknown.

Riley 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 earlier in the day.

UGA Police were alerted around noon and conducted a welfare check. Officers found Riley unconscious around 12:30 p.m. in a forest behind Lake Herrick, officials said. She had visible injuries and later died at the scene.

Augusta University shared on Thursday a Facebook statement shortly after news broke of Riley's death.

"It is with deep sorrow that we share with you the news that one of our students at our College of Nursing campus at Athens (CONAT) has passed away. Police suspect foul play. The receipt of this news this afternoon was shocking to all of us," university officials wrote.

While UGA canceled all classes Friday, Augusta University canceled its nursing classes in Athens. Augusta's campus remained open Friday.

RELATED: Foul Play Suspected In Woman's Death At UGA's Intramural Fields

UGA Police are investigating the case along with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Athens-Clarke County Police Department.

Both universities offered counseling services and resources to its students.

Riley's death comes after a UGA student died Wednesday night in Brumby Hall, UGA officials said. The university did not say how the student died.

While officials did not identify the student, a GoFundMe started for the student's family identified him as freshman and Kappa Sigma Beta Lambda member Wyatt Banks.

The GoFundMe, organized by Kappa Sigma, had raised at least $65,000 of its $75,000 goal as of early Friday.

"Hiding many of his deepest emotions from his friends, family and brothers, Wyatt was alone in his struggles and sadly resorted to the most desperate solution. Our goal for this fundraiser is to raise awareness towards mental health/suicide, hoping to prevent situations like this for anyone else struggling. No matter who you are, your life matters and know that there are people who want to help. Our only desire is to spread the word that it is a necessity to reach out, find help and talk to people when you are in a situation of need, no matter how big or small. Thank you for supporting our cause, please keep Wyatt and his family in your thoughts and prayers," the fraternity wrote in the GoFundMe.

Kappa Sigma said the fundraiser's intent is to not only raise awareness but to also support Banks' family.

"During his time here, Wyatt spread nothing but positivity and laughter, with an infectious smile and a laugh that anyone in the room could recognize. Along with his constant spread of positivity, Wyatt diligently excelled in academics, as a member of Morehead Honors College, and was always eager to help his friends in school whenever they needed it. If you were seeking someone to talk to, he was always there with open arms no matter what. If you were looking to go out and have a good time, you knew who to ask. For anything you needed, Wyatt was that guy. With all these redeeming qualities of Wyatt, you would think there would be no problems with him at all, and that's the issue," Kappa Sigma wrote.