Description
ATHENS, GA — The Venezuelan native accused of killing a jogger at the University of Georgia earlier this year has been indicted, per media reports.
The indictment sheds light on how 22-year-old Laken Riley, an Augusta University nursing student, died on Feb. 22 while jogging at UGA's Intramural Fields, per WSB-TV.
Riley died of blunt force trauma, authorities previously said.
Jose Ibarra, the 26-year-old man accused of killing Riley, was initially arrested and charged on suspicion of the following:
- Failure to appear for finger-printable charge
- Concealing the death of another person
- Kidnapping
- Obstructing/hindering a person from making an emergency telephone call
- False imprisonment
- Aggravated assault
- Aggravated battery
- Two counts of second-degree malice murder
However, Ibarra is also being charged on suspicion of "peeping tom" and aggravated assault with intent to rape, NBC News reported, citing the indictment. Clarke County Jail records did not reflect the added charges as of late Wednesday afternoon, but records showed he remained incarcerated.
RELATED: UGA Death: Suspect Accused Of 'Disfiguring' GA Student's Skull: Report
Ibarra was accused in the indictment of trying to rape Riley, asphyxiating her and hitting her in the head with a rock, WSB-TV reported.
The "peeping tom" charge stems from allegations that Ibarra spied on a woman in a campus apartment near the area where Riley was killed, WSB-TV reported.
Riley's death was a "crime of opportunity," UGA Police Chief Jeffrey Clark said at a past news conference.
He added Ibarra "saw an individual and bad things happened." Clark told media Ibarra "woke up with bad intentions."
RELATED: UGA Deaths: Suspect Arrested In Woman's Killing; 2nd Student Dead ID'd
Riley was reported missing by someone who said their friend had gone for an early morning run at the campus' fields and did not return home as expected, UGA officials said at the time.
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.
Riley was a Class of 2025 student and had received her honorary white coat in August 2023, per Augusta University officials in a past post on Facebook. She was a member of Alpha Chi Omega.
According to her obituary, Riley was born on Jan. 10, 2002 in Marietta. She had an adoration for nursing and helping others, and was employed as a nanny for two children.
RELATED: Laken Riley Act Passes U.S. House After GA Student's Death
The U.S. House of Representatives passed on March 7 the House Resolution 7511, also known as the Laken Riley Act, with 37 Democrats supporting the Republican-backed bill.
If it becomes law, H.R. 7511 would "require the Secretary of Homeland Security to take into custody aliens who have been charged in the United States with theft," the bill stated.
RELATED: 'She Was An Angel': Slain GA Student's Dad Speaks Out: Reports
Riley's father, Jason, pleaded to the Georgia Senate for the detainment and deportation of undocumented immigrants in late March.
Ibarra's 29-year-old brother, Diego, was arrested the same day as Ibarra and was held for immigration, past jail records showed.
RELATED: After GA Student's Death, Kemp Wants Answers From Biden Administration
Diego has been arrested multiple times since September on various charges including shoplifting and driving under the influence, Gov. Brian Kemp said in the past, citing justice officials. Kemp said he was released while his asylum papers were being processed.
Kemp has previously demanded answers from President Joe Biden, asking why his administration was not made aware of the asylum claims against Ibarra's brother or his subsequent release into the public.
He also wanted Biden to detail Ibarra's current immigration status, wondering why his office has not been informed of this information.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more hereNews Source : https://patch.com/georgia/athens/laken-riley-suspect-indicted-face-new-charges-ga-joggers-killing
Other Related News
05/19/2024
The northern lights were visible across the Northern Hemisphere Friday after the most powe...
05/19/2024
More than 10500 athletes from around the world will compete in the Paris Summer Olympic Ga...
05/19/2024
What do you do if you feel your right to privacy is compromised by a neighbors right to in...
05/19/2024
Patch graphicGood morning Todays issue of the Alpharetta Patch AM includes upcoming events...
05/19/2024