A fundraiser for the family of slain 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley has more than tripled its intended goal of $35,000, bringing in more than $123,000 by Monday afternoon.
Riley, who attended the University of Georgia, was found dead last week after she didn’t return from a long run. The man in custody in connection to the suspected murder is Jose Antonio Ibarra, a 26-year-old illegal immigrant.
The GoFundMe account was set up Kanaan Rogers and the beneficiary is John Phillips, Riley’s stepfather.
“On behalf of our entire family, we would like send out a heartfelt thank you for your donations and overwhelming support,” Phillips said in a message posted to the platform on Monday. “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,” he added. “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!”
An obituary for the student said that she was a member of the AXO Sorority at the University of Georgia “and loved all of her Sisters and friends.”
Riley is described as “kindhearted,” and the obituary adds that the 22-year-old’s “adoration for caring went beyond her goal of becoming a nurse and allowed her to be an extraordinary nanny for two young children. Her smile was extremely infectious and spread to others everywhere she went.”
NewsNation correspondent Ali Bradley reported Friday night that “multiple DHS sources” say that Ibarra is in the United States illegally from Venezuela, and further that he was arrested late last year in New York City but released back into the country.
“CBP documents show he crossed in September of 2022 into El Paso, Texas[,] and was released due to lack of detention space,” Bradley reported. “The 26 year old from Venezuela was arrested today by ICE-ERO Atlanta.”
#BREAKING DHS sources confirm that Jose Antonio Ibarra was arrested 5 months ago in New York.
Records show he was arrested on 9/14/23 in Queens, NY for injury to child less than 17 and no license.
— Ali Bradley (@AliBradleyTV) February 24, 2024
“DHS sources confirm that Jose Antonio Ibarra was arrested 5 months ago in New York,” she added in a subsequent X post. “Records show he was arrested on 9/14/23 in Queens, NY for injury to [a] child less than 17 and no license.”
The local police chief has said that Laken’s murder appears to be a “crime of opportunity” rather than something premeditated.
Frank Camp contributed to this report
Related: Man Arrested For Murder Of Georgia Nursing Student Was Illegal Immigrant: Report