ATHENS, Ga. — The killing of 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley on the campus of the University of Georgia last week shocked the school and made national headlines, with several updates on the case coming over the weekend.
Riley's death was addressed in remarks Monday morning by Gov. Brian Kemp in Athens, as students return to classes and continue to process what police called the first homicide at UGA in nearly 30 years.
The case has also become a flashpoint in the national debate on immigration and border security, as many Republicans, including Gov. Kemp, over the weekend focused on the immigration status of accused killer Jose Antonio Ibarra.
Here's the latest on the case and what happens next:
Laken Riley murder case | Latest updates from over the weekend
- Ibarra's immigration status: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said over the weekend that Ibarra, 26, was first arrested in Sept. 2022 "after unlawfully entering the United States near El Paso, Texas." ICE said at that time he was paroled and released for further processing. In September of last year, he was also arrested in New York City and charged with acting in a manner to injure a child less than 17 and a motor vehicle license violation. He was released by NYPD in that instance before a detainer could be issued, ICE said.
- First court appearance: Ibarra appeared before a judge Saturday morning in the first legal step in a Georgia criminal case. He was not eligible for bond at this stage due to his murder charges.
- Search Warrant details: A search warrant from the University of Georgia Police Department showed officers were authorized to seize evidence including Ibarra's "DNA, hair follicles, fingernail scrapings, and photographs of the body to include tattoos, scars, marks and injuries contained therein."
- Arrest Warrant details: The arrest warrants, signed by a superior court judge in Athens-Clarke County, accuse Ibarra of concealing the death of another person by "dragging the victim to a secluded area." There were also charges in the arrest warrants for hindering a 911 call, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, felony murder and malice murder.
- Outstanding warrant: A field arrest report from the Clarke County Sheriff's Office shows Ibarra was given a shoplifting citation and failed to appear for an arraignment on Dec. 7, 2023. A bench warrant for his arrest in this matter was issued on Dec. 18, 2023.
- Riley's funeral details released: A visitation will be held on March 1 from noon until 2 p.m. at Woodstock City Church. The funeral service will immediately follow at the same location until 3 p.m.
- Her family released a statement: "Laken was an amazing daughter, sister, friend and overall person in general. Her love for the Lord was exemplified in every aspect of her life. She will be missed every day, but we promise to honor her life moving forward in a very big way," the statement reads, in part. "During this most difficult time, we ask that you respect our privacy, and provide us the time and space necessary to grieve our daughter’s life that was tragically cut short."
- An online fundraiser was launched for her memorial: It had raised more than $113,000 from more than 3,000 donations as of Monday morning. You can find it here.
- UGA students returning to class: 11Alive's Tresia Bowles was in Athens Sunday as students said they were jarred and saddened by the killing, but felt safe after the investigative response by police and swift arrest of Ibarra.
- Ibarra's wife spoke to the New York Post: She said their relationship "had problems" but that they never rose to physical violence, and that she wanted to talk to her husband. “I have a lot of faith that this wasn’t him, that there was a misunderstanding somewhere. But if he did, he has to pay for what he did, truly," she said.
- His brother's status was clarified: Ibarra's brother was also taken into custody, but police have said his charges are separate and unrelated to the killing. Ibarra is believed to have acted alone. Police said the brother was arrested for having a fake green card.
What happens next
- Kemp's remarks: The Georgia governor is expected to touch on the case in remarks at an Athens Area Chamber of Commerce event early Monday. Kemp is scheduled to speak at 7:30 a.m.
- Funeral services for Riley: These will be happening Friday at Woodstock City Church, as detailed above.
- Ibarra's court status: After the first appearance, typically, either a bond hearing or preliminary hearing will occur in a Georgia criminal case. That would be conducted with the Superior Court of Athens-Clarke County. So far, no further court date for Ibarra has yet been scheduled.
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