Killer 'Stalked' Nursing Student Like Prey at UGA

Laken Riley spent four years running cross-country track for her high school, River Ridge in Woodstock Georgia. Her love of running continues during her studies at the University of Georgia. After earning her undergraduate degree, Riley begins her studies to be a nurse.   

Riley sets out on a morning run. She grabs her phone, telling her roommate she’ll return after a half run at the UGA Campus intramural fields.  When Riley doesn't return for hours, her roommate calls campus police 911 at 12:07 p.m. Less than 45 minutes later,  Officers found the Riley's body behind Lake Herrick. She was unconscious, not breathing, and had visible injuries. 

Police arrest Jose Antonio Ibarra, 26, charging him with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, hindering a 911 call, and concealing the death of another.  Ibarra is from Venezuela and came to the US illegally. He arrived in El Paso, Texas, with his wife and her 5-year-old son. 

Due to overcrowding at the center, the family is sent by bus to New York City, a week after crossing the border. They are given food and lodging, and Ibarra begins posting pictures on social media about living the high life in New York City.  Ibarra is working Door Dash and Uber Eats, when he gets arrested for carrying his wife's 5-year-old son, without a helmet or protection of any kind on his scooter.

Ibarra and his wife split up, and Jose Ibarra lives in Athens, Georgia with his brother Diego. Her apartment is a 5-minute walk from where the body of Laken Riley was found.

Joining Nancy Grace Today:

• Phil Vetrano - Father of Murdered Jogger, Karina Vetrano
• Dale Carson – Criminal Defense Attorney (Jacksonville), Former FBI Agent, Former Police Officer, Author: “Arrest-Proof Yourself;” X: @DaleCarsonLaw
• Joe Scott Morgan – Professor of Forensics: Jacksonville State University, Author, “Blood Beneath My Feet,” and Host: “Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan;” Twitter/X: @JoScottForensic
• Sheryl McCollum  – Forensics Expert & Cold Case Investigative Research Institute Founder; Host of Podcast: “Zone 7;” X: @149Zone7
• Jason Dennis - Anchor: WTVM News leader 9 and WXTX; Facebook: Jason Dennis WTVM, Instagram: @jdennistv X: @JasonDennisWTVM  

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