Laken Riley Memorial Fund Surpasses $150,000 As Americans Nationwide Pitch In Following Murder

On Wednesday, the GoFundMe campaign for the memorial service for 22-year-old Laken Riley surpassed $150,000 after being created on Friday. The fundraiser's initial goal of $35,000 was quickly surpassed as thousands of Americans nationwide pitched in to support Riley's family in their time of grief.

Riley, who was described as a "shining light," was found dead on the University of Georgia's campus on Thursday. One of the young woman's friends reported her missing after she did not come back from a jog near the school's intramural fields. Authorities eventually found Riley without a pulse. They attempted CPR but were unable to resuscitate her. The young nursing student had "visible injuries" that led to the authorities suspecting foul play and launching an investigation, eventually settling on 26-year-old Jose Antonio Ibarra as the main suspect. It was later revealed that Riley was beaten to death with an object that led to "seriously disfiguring her body … by disfiguring her skull." Following the beating, Ibarra then dragged her body to a secluded area.

During a press conference, UGA Police Chief Jeffrey L. Clark explained that Ibarra is not a citizen of the United States and that he potentially is from Venezuela. He has been charged with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, hindering a 911 call, and concealing the death of another, as previously reported by the DC Enquirer. Authorities in New York previously had custody of Ibarra for endangering a minor. Still, the NYPD released him onto the streets before Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) could issue a detainer.

The authorities failed in their mission to protect the public, but the public has been doing its part to honor the young woman who was taken from her family too soon. The GoFundMe fundraiser has 3,800 individual donations so far, with the top donation being $1,010. The fundraiser describes Laken as a "kind-hearted spirit." 

"Laken Riley was a class of 2025 BSN student at Augusta University Athens campus and an active member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority at UGA. She was a sweet and compassionate soul whose life was sadly cut short on Thursday, February 22nd, 2024," the GoFundMe fundraiser's description reads. "No words can express the pain and heartache that Laken's family and friends are experiencing. She was a wonderful friend, sister, daughter, etc., who touched the lives of everyone around her. Her infectious smile and contagious laugh lit up every room she entered. Not only did she have a kind-hearted spirit, but she also excelled in academics as she previously made the Augusta University Dean's list in the Fall of 2023. This GoFundMe is being established to assist the family with funeral expenses, establish a scholarship in her name, raise homicide awareness, or any other opportunity the family could use it for during this difficult time. Thank you so much for your support, please continue to keep Laken's family and friends in your thoughts and prayers."

You can donate to the Laken Riley Memorial fund here.

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