The mother of Laken Riley, the nursing student who was murdered in broad daylight while on a jog last Thursday, has spoken out for the first time since her death.
In a gut-wrenching post, Allyson Phillips took to Facebook on Saturday, a day after her 22-year-old daughter was laid to rest, to share the unimaginable loss.
The devastated mom said that this ordeal was an ‘avoidable tragedy,’ and added: ‘As I sat down to write this message, I really just have no words.
‘My family has faced the most devastating, unimaginable loss that anyone could ever be forced 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.’
Riley, a promising young woman, was murdered while jogging on a trail around the University of Georgia campus in Athens, in what police described as a ‘crime of opportunity.’
Her alleged killer, Jose Antonio Ibarra, is a 26-year-old Venezuelan national was living illegally in the US.
Allyson Phillips pictured with her late daughter, Laken Riley, the 22-year-old nursing student murdered in broad daylight while on a jog last Thursday. She spoke out for the first time in her first public message since her daughter’s death, calling it an ‘avoidable tragedy’
Friends of the young woman described her as ‘a great friend, student and roommate, who loved running, dancing and singing, and who had an infectious laugh,’ The New York Times reported
Riley was laid to rest on Friday in Woodstock, Georgia with more than 1,000 attending
The grieving mother changed her profile photo to a black and red heart, the colors of the University of Georgia, with the hashtag #sayhername.
She continued: ‘It would be really easy to lose our faith in mankind because of this senseless and avoidable tragedy. The amount of love, support and help that we have received during this horrific nightmare is overwhelming.’
She shared how grateful she is for all the unwavering support she has received, ‘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.
‘I hope that each and every one of you know how much we love you and appreciate all you have done.’
She asked the public to ‘continue to pray’ for her family as they ‘put one foot in front of the other moving forward.’
The suspect and his his brother, Diego Ibarra, entered the United States through the United States- Mexico border in 2022.
He was arrested by the Border Patrol for crossing the border illegally but, was released shortly after he was granted temporary permission to stay in the country, as per federal officials, The New York Times reported.
The mother and daughter have a striking resemblance
Officials have confirmed that Ibarra is not a US citizen and did not know or have any kind of relationship with Riley
Jose Antonio Ibarra, 26, was arrested for the murder of Laken Riley and appeared in court on February 24th when he was formally charged with the young woman’s murder
Ibarra, lived in the New York City before moving to Athens, Georgia.
He shared an apartment with his brother that was about a five-minute walk where he allegedly killed the young nursing student.
His brother worked as a dishwasher at University of Georgia, but was terminated once school officials learned that he had fake green card documents, Fox News reported.
Ibarra was arrested February 23 and formally charged the following day.
He was charged with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, hindering a 911 call and concealing the death of another.
