Lake Riley Autopsy Report: What Is the Cause of Her Death? Obituary, Funeral

The tragic death of Laken Hope Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student at Augusta University, has shocked and saddened many people across the nation. Riley was killed on February 24, 2024, while jogging on the University of Georgia campus in Athens, Ga.
Her body was found later that day in the woods behind Lake Herrick, with visible injuries and signs of a violent struggle. The suspect, Jose Antonio Ibarra, a 26-year-old Venezuelan citizen who entered the U.S. illegally in 2022, was arrested the next day and charged with multiple offenses, including murder, kidnapping, and assault.
Lake Riley Autopsy Report
Lake was a 22-year-old nursing student at Augusta University who was killed on February 24, 2024, while jogging on the University of Georgia campus in Athens, Ga. Her body was found later that day in the woods behind Lake Herrick, with visible injuries and signs of a violent struggle. The suspect, Jose Antonio Ibarra, a 26-year-old Venezuelan citizen who entered the U.S. illegally in 2022, was arrested the next day and charged with multiple offenses, including murder, kidnapping, and assault.

According to the Athens-Clarke County Coroner’s Office and Morgue, Riley died from blunt force trauma to the head. The arrest warrants and affidavits revealed that Ibarra kidnapped Riley between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. and “disfigured her skull” with an object. The documents did not specify what kind of object, but authorities said it was not a firearm. Ibarra also allegedly prevented Riley from making or completing a 911 call by physically hindering her. He then dragged her body to a secluded area and concealed her death.
Table
Fact | Description |
---|---|
Name | Laken Hope Riley |
Age | 22 |
Date of Birth | June 15, 2001 |
Date of Death | February 24, 2024 |
Cause of Death | Blunt force trauma to the head |
Suspect | Jose Antonio Ibarra |
Charges | Murder, kidnapping, assault, false imprisonment, hindering a 911 call, and concealing the death of another |
Status | Held without bail in Clarke County |
Cause of Death Revealed
According to the Athens-Clarke County Coroner’s Office and Morgue, Riley died from blunt force trauma to the head. The arrest warrants and affidavits obtained by Channel 2 Action News revealed that Ibarra kidnapped Lake Riley between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. and “disfigured her skull” with an object.

The documents did not specify what kind of object, but authorities said it was not a firearm. Ibarra also allegedly prevented Riley from making or completing a 911 call by physically hindering her. He then dragged her body to a secluded area and concealed her death.
Obituary and Funeral
Lake Riley was a beloved daughter, sister, friend, and student who had a bright future ahead of her. She was born on June 15, 2001, in Augusta, Ga., to John and Lisa Riley. She had two older brothers, Jake and Luke, who adored her. She graduated from Greenbrier High School in 2019, where she was a cheerleader, a member of the National Honor Society, and a volunteer at the local hospital.
She was pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing at Augusta University, to become a pediatric nurse. She was passionate about helping others, especially children, and had a kind and compassionate heart. She loved animals, nature, music, and traveling. She was a devout Christian who attended Grace Fellowship Church in Evans, Ga.
Lake Riley’s family and friends described her as a beautiful, smart, funny, and caring person who always had a smile on her face. She was a joy to be around and touched many lives with her positive energy and generosity. She had a close-knit circle of friends who supported her through thick and thin. She was also a member of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority at Augusta University, where she found sisterhood and friendship.
Riley’s funeral was held on March 1, 2024, at Grace Fellowship Church, followed by a burial at Westover Memorial Park. Hundreds of people attended the service to pay their respects and honor her memory. Her family and friends shared their stories and memories of Riley, expressing their grief and love for her.
They also thanked the community for their prayers and support during this difficult time. Riley’s sorority sisters sang a song for her and presented her family with a framed photo of her. Her pastor delivered a message of hope and faith, reminding everyone that Riley is now in heaven with God.
The death of Laken Riley is a tragic and senseless loss that has left a void in the hearts of many. She was a young woman who had so much to offer to the world and who had a bright future ahead of her. She was taken away too soon by a brutal and cowardly act of violence. Her family, friends, and community are mourning her death and seeking justice for her. They are also celebrating her life and remembering her legacy. She will always be remembered as a beautiful, smart, funny, and caring person who made a difference in the lives of others. She will always be loved and missed by many.
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