The family of an Augusta University nursing student who was murdered Thursday on the University of Georgia's campus has released a statement in the wake of her death.
Laken Riley, 22, was found dead on east campus near Lake Herrick off College Station Road in Athens. Jose Ibarra, 22, of Venezuela, was arrested Friday and charged with murder in what UGA Police Chief Jeff Clark described as a "crime of opportunity." Reports later came out describing Ibarra as an illegal resident of the United States.
Riley's father issued a statement on behalf of the family Monday on a GoFundMe page.
"On behalf of our entire family we would like send out a heartfelt thank you for your donations and overwhelming support," wrote Riley's father, John Phillips. "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. Every single dollar donated will go towards starting the Laken Hope Riley Foundation and will be used to drive homicide awareness and safety for women. Again, thank you for your kind support and we love you all!"
Phillips' statement follows immense community support on the GoFundMe page, which had raised about $140,000 as of 2 p.m. Tuesday.
The page also said Riley was a class of 2025 BSN student at Augusta University's Athens Campus and an active member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority at UGA.
"She was a wonderful friend, sister, daughter, etc. who touched the lives of everyone around her," the page reads. "Her infectious smile and contagious laugh lit up every room she entered. Not only did she have a kind-hearted spirit, but she also excelled in academics as she previously made the Augusta University Dean’s list in the Fall of 2023."
You can donate to the GoFundMe page by clicking here.
