CNN
—
Campus police have arrested a suspect in the killing of an Augusta University School of Nursing student on the University of Georgia campus in Athens, local authorities said.
Campus police announced that they are recommending charges against Jose Antonio Ybarra, 26, of Athens, on charges of felony murder, false imprisonment, kidnapping, and concealing the death of another in the murder of Laken Riley. . Police announced at a news conference Friday that Ybarra will be taken to the Clark County Jail.
Riley, a third-year dean's list student at Augusta University's College of Nursing, was found dead Thursday near a lake on the University of Georgia campus after jogging there. UGA Police Chief Jeff Clark described her murder as a “crime of opportunity” committed by “an individual with malicious intentions.” There was no evidence the two knew each other, Clark said. Riley died of blunt force trauma, he added.
Police used campus surveillance camera footage and physical evidence to link the suspect to Riley's murder, Clark said. They also executed a search warrant on the suspect's apartment.
Clark said the suspect does not have a “significant” criminal history. Ybarra lives in Athens, but added that he is neither a U.S. citizen nor a student at UGA.
“The evidence suggests this was an isolated act,” Clark said, adding that authorities detained three or four people but only arrested Ybarra. “At this time, there is no indication that there is an ongoing threat to the community in connection with this incident,” he said.
UGA earlier announced that police have identified a person of interest who is being questioned in the intense investigation into the student's murderer.
Investigators searched wooded areas on campus, trying to find clues about Riley's killer.
“We would like to emphasize that this remains an active and ongoing investigation,” spokesman Greg Trevor said.
Riley was a student at the University of Georgia until 2023 before enrolling at Augusta University, UGA spokesman Cole Sosebee said.
Friday's classes were canceled as authorities continue to search for clues and the two university communities grieve.
Jeffrey L. Clark, chief of the University of Georgia Police Department, said Thursday evening that authorities received a call around noon Thursday from a person concerned that a friend had gone jogging at the university's intramurals and never returned. Ta.
Clark said investigators found the body of a man jogging behind a nearby lake around 12:38 p.m.
Retrieved from CNN
Laken Hope Riley attended UGA before studying nursing at Augusta University.
All classes at the University of Georgia's Athens campus were canceled on Friday and will resume on Monday, the school announced.
Augusta University canceled Friday classes at its College of Nursing campus in Athens, about four miles from the University of Georgia's intramural field.
Augusta University's president released a statement Thursday mourning the student's death.
“It is with deep sadness that we share with you the news of the passing of one of our students on the Athens College of Nursing campus,” Augusta University President Brooks A. Keel said in a statement. This was stated in a letter to concerned parties.
Joshua L. Jones/Online Athens/USA Today Network
Athens-Clarke County police conducted a traffic stop and search at the University of Georgia's intramural stadium in Athens on Thursday.
Campus officials said Riley's body was discovered hours after the UGA student's “sudden death” the night before.
The student was found dead in Brumby Hall, and police found “no signs of any criminal activity or foul play,” according to university police records. The incident was listed as a death investigation/suicide.
“The past 24 hours have been a traumatic time for the university,” the school said in a statement Thursday. “And as we continue to mourn that tragic loss of life, today's shocking news will uniquely test the resolve of our campus community, especially our students.”
This story has been updated with additional information.