Laken Riley's final moments revealed in security footage at murder trial

The murder trial of Jose Ibarra, accused of killing 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley, revealed chilling new evidence on Tuesday, including security footage and forensic findings. Riley, a former University of Georgia student, was attacked while jogging on February 22, 2024, with a smartwatch tracking her heartbeat confirming her death at 9:28 a.m. Prosecutors presented haunting footage showing Riley jogging minutes before her death and another video capturing a man, alleged to be Ibarra, near her jogging trail an hour prior.
 

Prosecutors detailed Riley’s harrowing final moments, alleging that Ibarra attacked her after she resisted an attempted assault. “When Laken Riley refused to be his rape victim, he bashed her skull in with a rock,” stated Georgia special prosecutor Sheila Ross. DNA evidence tied Ibarra directly to the crime, with his genetic material found under Riley’s fingernails and on a bloody jacket discarded near his home.

Ibarra, identified as a Venezuelan national linked to the Tren de Aragua gang, entered the U.S. illegally in 2022, fueling renewed debates on immigration policies. His defense attorney argued that the evidence was circumstantial, dismissing claims of intent to harm Riley. Ibarra has pleaded not guilty and waived his right to a jury trial.
 

The case has gripped the nation, highlighting campus safety concerns and raising questions about border security. As the trial proceeds, further witness testimonies are expected to provide additional insights into this tragic case.