Laken Riley, 22
Nursing student at Augusta University College of Nursing in Athens. Out on a morning run on the UGA Lake Herrick trail.
- Original chargeEndangerment of a child / motor vehicle license violationSeptember 14, 2023
- ReleasedReleased by NYPD without ICE detainerSeptember 14, 2023
- 161 days laterMurderFebruary 22, 2024
What happened
Riley was attacked while running on a wooded trail near Lake Herrick on the UGA campus. Ibarra struggled with her, beat her with a rock, and asphyxiated her. Surveillance footage and his thumbprint on her phone tied him to the crime. Convicted of malice murder on November 20, 2024 and sentenced to life without parole.
The release decision
On September 14, 2023, Jose Antonio Ibarra was charged with endangerment of a child / motor vehicle license violation. Multi-agency release Pending Identification (NYC + Athens) ordered the release on September 14, 2023. Terms: released by nypd without ice detainer. Prosecutors had asked for hold for ice. The defendant had 3 prior arrests at the time.
The defendant's record
Entered US illegally in 2022. Sept 2023 NYC arrest for child endangerment on a scooter — released without ICE detainer. Oct 2023 Athens Walmart shoplifting — released. Dec 2023 bench warrant for failure to appear in shoplifting case, not executed.