The mother of Laken Riley, the Augusta University nursing student found dead last month on the University of Georgia’s campus, spoke out on Facebook, calling her daughter’s murder “the most devastating, unimaginable loss” while adding it was a “senseless and avoidable tragedy.”
An illegal immigrant, Jose Antonio Ibarra, has been arrested as a suspect in the murder; affidavits said the 26-year-old illegal immigrant from Venezuela used an object in the crime, and also accused him of “disfiguring her skull” and dragging her body to a secluded area to hide the fact that he killed her. The allegation against Jose Ibarra of dragging Riley’s body was “was filed to support the charge of concealing the death of another person,” ABC News reported.
“As I sat down to write this message, I really just have no words,” Riley’s mother, Allyson Phillips, wrote of her daughter, whose death inspired the hashtag #SayHerName. “My family has faced the most devastating, unimaginable loss that anyone could ever be force to endure. I would like to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for being with me and my family during this heartbreaking time. I encourage everyone to have a personal relationship with Jesus. I give Him all the glory for getting us through this.”
“It would be really easy to lose our faith in mankind because of this senseless and avoidable tragedy,” she continued. “The amount of love, support and help that we have received during this horrific nightmare is overwhelming. I can’t begin to tell you all how much we appreciate all of the text, calls, flowers, meals, groceries, bows, pictures, personal gifts, memorials, gift cards and donations to Laken’s foundation. We are beyond grateful for everyone who has stepped up to be here for us through this difficult time. The outpouring of love has been so enormous – that I felt this was the best way to thank you all in a timely manner.”
In another post, she continued: “To all the parents out there, I want to lay this on your heart. I can assure you that there is no greater gift that you can give your children than to walk along side them and help them develop their relationship with Jesus. It is the most important relationship they will ever have. I know my sweet Laken knew Jesus personally and she will live eternally in His home. He never left her side until the very last second she was here on earth and He will take care of her now and forever in heaven. I find peace during this devastation in knowing that. If there is anything I can do to assist you or your family in developing your relationship with Jesus, please reach out to me. There is no way to honor my precious Laken more than to give your life to Jesus. I love you all and I pray we all feel God’s peace that goes beyond our understanding and healing as we move forward.”
Laken Riley’s 1st grade teacher has also posted on her death, sharing an image of a letter she wrote as a little girl in which it’s revealed that she always wanted to be a nurse and “help people.
“When I grow up I want to be a nurse because it helps people to get better and it looks very fun to help people,” she wrote in the letter. “For working I would want to get $10,0000. I will not be married. I will stay with my family until I die. I would like to live in Florida. Florida is lots of fun and the ocean and pool is there.”
💔 Laken Riley's 1st grade teacher posted a letter that Laken wrote for class. Laken had dreams of becoming a nurse to help others.
The teacher updated her Facebook profile picture to #SayHerName. pic.twitter.com/ZuYo4KQGtW
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) March 4, 2024
After Riley’s death, her first-grade teacher wrote, “Every year I had my first-graders publish a book. Each student wrote about their future plans. Laken knew from the time she was six years old that she wanted to be a nurse. She SHOULD have been able to be a nurse. #lakenriley #sayhername.”
Laken Riley’s first grade teacher on Facebook 💔 pic.twitter.com/8112ShqxUp
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) March 4, 2024
On Sunday, when CBS’ “Face The Nation” host asked Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas whether Ibarra should have been deported — noting he “had been detained by Border Patrol upon crossing, released with temporary permission to stay in the country. He then went on allegedly to commit crimes twice,” Mayorkas refused to say her name, answering, “First, Margaret, first and foremost, an absolute tragedy, and our hearts break for and our prayers are with the family, number one. Number two, and, importantly, as a prosecutor, having prosecuted violent crime and other crimes for 12 years, one individual is responsible for the murder, and that is the murderer.”
A massive vigil was held for Laken Riley. If not for X, you would've never even known about this.pic.twitter.com/Lg0AH3adDC
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) February 29, 2024