Laken Riley funeral in her hometown of Woodstock

The Laken Riley funeral is set for today in her hometown of Woodstock. The Augusta University nursing student, murdered last week on the campus of the University of Georgia, will be laid to rest after a 2 o’clock service at Woodstock City Church. 26 year-old Jose Ibarra, a Venezuelan in the US illegally, is being held without bond in the Athens-Clarke County jail, charged in the beating death of the 22 year-old Riley.

From WSB TV…

Funeral services have been announced for Laken Riley days after the 22-year-old was killed on the University of Georgia campus in Athens.

According to Poole Funeral Home in Woodstock, visitation is scheduled at Woodstock City Chuch from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, March 1.

Following the visitation, funeral services will begin at 2 p.m. with pastor Samer Massad officiating.

Police said Riley was found dead after going for a jog on the university’s intermural fields and never returned.

Police found her unconscious and injured in a wooded area behind the fields around 12:30 p.m. on Thursday.

During a press conference Friday, Chief Jeff Clark announced that Jose Antonio Ibarra, 26, of Venezuela was identified as a suspect in the crime.

Riley was a nursing student at the Augusta University campus in Athens and had also attended UGA through the spring of 2023 when she transferred to AU.

Friends of Riley’s confirmed to Channel 2 Action News that she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority.

“Her smile was extremely infectious and infected others everywhere she went. She was devoted to serving the Lord. She was always involved with her church, Woodstock City Church. Her love for spreading God’s word brought her to attend countless mission trips,” according to Riley’s obituary.

In place of flowers, the family is asking for donations to Laken’s GoFundMe account with all proceeds going towards starting the Laken Hope Riley Foundation which will be used to drive homicide awareness and safety for women. To donate, click here.

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