by Friends and family of 22-year-old nursing student Laken Hope Riley will come together this Friday to pay their respects and celebrate her life. The tragic news of Riley’s death on the University of Georgia campus has left many in shock and mourning.
The funeral service for Riley is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Friday, March 1, at the Woodstock City Church, located at 150 Ridgewalk Pkwy in Woodstock. Prior to the service, a visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the church, a place that Riley frequented and held dear.
Described as an amazing daughter, sister, and friend, Riley’s obituary highlights her deep love for the Lord and her positive impact on those around her. She leaves behind her mother, father, two sisters, brother, and grandparents, who are all deeply saddened by her untimely passing.
In lieu of flowers, Riley’s family has requested donations to an online fundraiser set up to assist with funeral expenses, establish a scholarship in her name, raise awareness about homicide, or support the family during this difficult time.
Riley, a native of Woodstock, was a former student at River Ridge High School and a member of the varsity cross-country team. She later pursued her passion for nursing at the University of Georgia before transferring to the nursing program at Augusta University College of Nursing in Athens.
Tragically, Riley’s life was cut short when she was found dead on UGA’s campus, sparking a wave of shock and grief throughout the community. The suspect in her murder, 26-year-old Jose Antonio Ibarra, faces multiple charges related to the crime.
UGA Police Chief Jeffrey Clark has stated that Riley and Ibarra did not know each other, describing her death as a “crime of opportunity.” The community continues to mourn the loss of a bright young soul taken too soon.
