What We Know About Jose Antonio Ibarra, Suspect in Laken Riley's Death

A suspect has been taken in by the University of Georgia (UGA) Police Department in connection to the death of 22-year-old Laken Riley.

UGA Police Chief Jeffrey Clark told reporters at a press conference Friday evening that 26-year-old Jose Antonio Ibarra, of Athens, Georgia, has been arrested and charged with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, hindering a 911 call and concealing the death of another. Clark said that three to four other people were taken into custody during investigations but only Ibarra faces charges.

According to police, Ibarra is not a U.S. citizen, and there is no indication that he has a history of violence. Clark described Riley's death as an "isolated incident" and was a "crime of opportunity, no motive."

Riley, a student at the Augusta University College of Nursing, was found dead on UGA's campus in Athens on Thursday. Police said that a search began for Riley after one of her friends reported that she had not returned from a morning run. Her remains were found in a wooded area behind Lake Herrick at around 12:38 p.m. Thursday EST.

Riley was previously a student at UGA until the spring 2023 semester, when she transferred to Augusta University College. Investigators previously said that they suspected "foul play" in her death. Clark told reporters on Friday that the determined cause of death was blunt force trauma.

Investigators were led to Ibarra with the help of video evidence and technology, according to police. There is no indication that the suspect knew Riley at the time of the incident.

In a post to X, formerly Twitter, Friday evening, UGA said that there "are no indications of a continuing threat" to the campus community in connection to Riley's death. Classes at both universities involved were canceled on Friday.

"This was a very isolated incident," Clark said at the briefing. "We haven't had a homicide at the University of Georgia in almost 30 years. As I stated before, this was an individual who woke up with bad intentions on that day."

Riley's mother, Allyson Phillips, wrote in a Facebook post a day before Riley's death that she and some family members were on a ski vacation in Colorado.

"We had a great time with great friends celebrating Brinda's birthday in Crested Butte, CO! Massages, skiing, great food and beautiful views!" read the post. "Only thing missing was Laken Riley."

Newsweek has reached out to Phillips via direct message on social media.

Update 02/23/24, 7:44 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information from University of Georgia police.