Aside from revealing the final moments of a college student who was found dead in the woods earlier this year, reports have also released information about the victim’s killer and his sentencing.
Months after news concerning the death of a 22-year-old college student in Georgia circulated in public spheres, media outlets have revealed the last text message Laken Riley sent to her mom. Surveillance footage of her final moments, which was captured minutes before her life was taken, has also been released.
During the recent court trial of Riley’s killer, Jose Ibarra, 26, which began last week (week of November 11), prosecutors read out Riley’s message on Tuesday, November 19. The late nursing student had sent the text at 8:55 a.m., mere moments before she went for a jog on the University of Georgia’s (UGA) campus.
Jose Ibarra during his court trial concerning the murder of Laken Riley, posted on November 19, 2024 | Source: YouTube/Court TV
Reading from a transcript of the message, UGA police Sergeant Sophie Raboud disclosed, “Good morning about to go for run if you’re free to talk [sic].” Riley then attempted to call her mother at 9:03 a.m. but could not reach her, as she did not answer.
Seven minutes later (at 9:11 a.m.), the late student had called 911. At 9:24 a.m., Riley’s mom returned her daughter’s call.
However, she did not hear from her again. As a result, the panicked mom sent a text, which read, “Please call me. I’m worried sick about you.”
According to WSB-TV, Riley’s stepfather and sister had also tried reaching out to her, but to no avail. Aside from reading transcripts of Riley and her mom’s text messages, the surveillance video showing Riley jogging minutes before her demise was played for everyone in the courtroom, including Judge H. Patrick Haggard.
The surveillance footage showing Laken Riley jogging, posted on November 19, 2024 | Source: YouTube/CourtTV
At 9:05 a.m., the young woman was seen jogging along Milledge Avenue Extension in Athens. She sported an all-black outfit, including leggings, a jacket, and running shoes. Footage also showed Riley jogging with her phone in her left hand.
Laken Riley | Source: YouTube/Court TV
Continuing on her jog, Riley passed a bus stop, where multiple students were seen waiting. She headed south before she went on a different trail that led into a woodsy area, going east toward the Intramural Fields (IM Fields) at 9:06 a.m.
Laken Riley | Source: YouTube/Court TV
Additional surveillance footage was played in the courtroom which showed Riley’s roommates, Sofia Magana and Lily Steiner, searching for her along the same running trails with Magana’s dog.
Sofia Magana and Lily Steiner looking for Laken Riley on the same running trail she was jogging on. | Source: YouTube/Court TV
After Ibarra’s defense attorneys had their opportunity to state their case, Judge Haggard delivered his verdict. Ibarra, who had informed the judge he would not be testifying in his own defense during the trial, was found guilty on several counts. He has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Ibarra is convicted of taking Riley’s life back in February of this year (2024). On February 22, around 12:07 p.m., one of Riley’s friends called the UGA Police Department. The friend was concerned for Riley, who had not returned from her morning run at the IM Fields that same day.
Responding immediately, officers began their search at approximately 12:20 p.m. They located Riley in the woods behind Lake Herrick shortly after.
She was unconscious and had visible wounds on her body. Officers administered medical aid, however, emergency medical responders determined she was dead upon their arrival.
A memorial site in honor of Laken Riley located at Lake Allyn Herrick on the campus of the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia on June 7, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
At the time, the UGA Police Department was actively investigating the homicide in collaboration with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, federal law enforcement partners, and the Athens-Clarke County Police Department.
Ibarra was charged and booked into Clarke County Jail on February 23 (the day after Riley’s body had been found).
Officials dubbed his heinous act a “crime of opportunity, where he saw an individual and bad things happened.” According to University Police Chief Jeff Clark, Ibarra is not a U.S. citizen and is not a student at the university.
Jose Ibarra | Source: YouTube/Court TV
Additionally, officials said there was no indication that Ibarra knew Riley. Ibarra was charged with felony murder, malice murder, aggravated battery, false imprisonment, aggravated assault, kidnapping, hindering a 911 call, and concealing the death of another.
Chief Clark also pointed out that the 26-year-old did not have an extensive violent criminal history, adding that Ibarra was an “individual who woke up with bad intentions that day.”