Laken Riley funeral: Georgia nursing student murdered ‘by illegal immigrant’ takes place following killing that shocked the nation
Friends and family will gather later this afternoon to remember nursing student Laken Riley, who was killed while jogging last week.
The visitation for the now 22-year-old will take place from noon to 2 p.m. at Woodstock City Church outside Atlanta, Georgia.
Riley’s funeral service will take place at the same church, while a wake will be held on the grounds of the University of Georgia campus where she attended.
Hundreds of mourners lined up outside the church in the pouring rain on Friday to pay their last respects to Riley.
A long line formed outside the visiting room, where a slideshow of photos played on TV screens in the church’s main hall.
Some people dabbed away tears as they walked past the casket, which sat at the front of the room and was flanked by photos of Riley and bouquets of flowers.
Friends and relatives began gathering at the church outside Atlanta, Georgia, on Friday
Mourners arrived at the church during a heavy rainstorm on Friday to pay tribute to Riley
Before the service, memorial arches in red, black and white were placed in front of the church
An online obituary for Riley said she “loved nurturing and nurturing others” and added that her smile was “extremely contagious” and that she spread joy wherever she went.
In a statement, Riley’s mother Allyson Phillips and John Phillips said their daughter “will be missed every day.”
The couple said: ‘Laeken was a wonderful daughter, sister, friend and general person.
“Her love for the Lord was evident in every aspect of her life. She will be missed every day, but we promise to honor her life in a big way.”
Woodstock City Church Pastor Samer Massad said Riley was someone “whose light consistently shone so brightly.
He told Fox news: ‘Laeken was special. She was a gift to all who knew her. Smart, kind, compassionate and thoughtful don’t even scratch the surface.
“She was a loving daughter, sister and friend. She had the gift of making everyone around her feel comfortable and seen.
We will miss her very much. The Van Laken family is family to us, and as their church family, we here at Woodstock City Church are committed to walking alongside them and carrying this burden with them.”
Riley had gone jogging last Thursday and was later found dead in a wooded area near the university’s campus in Athens, Georgia.
Visitation for the late 22-year-old will take place from noon to 2 p.m., followed by her funeral service at Woodstock City Church outside Atlanta, Georgia.
Visitation for the deceased 22-year-old will take place from noon to 2 p.m. at Woodstock City Church outside Atlanta, Georgia
Woodstock City Church Pastor Samer Massad said Riley was someone “whose light consistently shone so brightly
The local police and sheriff were also present at the service on Friday
Riley was reported missing after his concerned roommate told police she had not returned from jogging.
She was killed by “blunt force trauma,” police confirmed, and suffered a “deformed skull” after being struck with a mystery object.
Last Friday, Jose Antonio Ibarra was arrested for Riley’s murder and appeared in court where he was formally charged with murder.
Ibarra appeared in court on Saturday, where he was formally charged with murder, aggravated assault, aggravated assault, kidnapping and other charges. He was represented by public defenders and remained in custody.
The 26-year-old was also charged with aggravated assault, aggravated battery, kidnapping and other charges.
Ibarra had entered El Paso, Texas, in September 2022, but had been released from a detention center due to lack of space.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Sunday that he had previously been arrested in New York for endangering the welfare of a child.
Prior to his arrest by the NYPD, Ibarra had posted photos on social media of himself touring the sights of the Big Apple.
Officer Ibarra dragged her body to a remote area to conceal the death, according to an arrest affidavit seen by CBS.
Riley was found dead Thursday afternoon after her roommate reported her missing and said she had not returned from her jog
Police say he dragged her body to a secluded area on the UGA campus to conceal the death
Officials confirmed that Ibarra is not a U.S. citizen and did not know or have any relationship with Riley
Jose Antonio Ibarra was arrested for Riley’s murder and appeared in court last Saturday where he was formally charged with murder
Ibarra was arrested Friday for Riley’s murder, just a day after her remains were found on the Athens campus
Ibarra is accused of “severely disfiguring Riley’s body by disfiguring her skull,” and is also accused of preventing Riley from calling 911 when he allegedly grabbed her Thursday between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Riley’s body was found the same day on campus in a wooded area near Lake Herrick, with trails popular with runners and walkers.
Following news last week that Ibarra was an illegal immigrant, former President Donald Trump blamed President Joe Biden for the killing.
Trump pointed to Biden’s lax policies at the southern border regarding the influx of illegal migration.
The latter supports Republicans’ claims that with such a large flow of migration across the border it is impossible to know for sure who will be allowed into the country.
Speaking at the southern border in Texas on Thursday, Trump continued to condemn President Biden and directly blame him for the deaths.
Joe Biden will never say Laken Riley’s name, but we will say it, and we will remember it,” Trump said. “We won’t forget her.”
The former president told how the “beautiful young woman” was “kidnapped and brutally murdered” by an illegal immigrant while she was jogging.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to a foundation they plan to establish in her memory, which will focus on homicide awareness and safety.
The fundraiser has already raised more than $177,000, well above the original goal of $35,000.