Reading from a transcript of the message, UGA police Sergeant Sophie Raboud disclosed, “Good morning about to go for run if you’re free to talk [sic].” Riley then attempted to call her mother at 9:03 a.m. but could not reach her, as she did not answer.

However, she did not hear from her again. As a result, the panicked mom sent a text, which read, “Please call me. I’m worried sick about you.”

At 9:05 a.m., the young woman was seen jogging along Milledge Avenue Extension in Athens. She sported an all-black outfit, including leggings, a jacket, and running shoes. Footage also showed Riley jogging with her phone in her left hand.

Additional surveillance footage was played in the courtroom which showed Riley’s roommates, Sofia Magana and Lily Steiner, searching for her along the same running trails with Magana’s dog.

She was unconscious and had visible wounds on her body. Officers administered medical aid, however, emergency medical responders determined she was dead upon their arrival.

At the time, the UGA Police Department was actively investigating the homicide in collaboration with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, federal law enforcement partners, and the Athens-Clarke County Police Department.

Officials dubbed his heinous act a “crime of opportunity, where he saw an individual and bad things happened.” According to University Police Chief Jeff Clark, Ibarra is not a U.S. citizen and is not a student at the university.

Additionally, officials said there was no indication that Ibarra knew Riley. Ibarra was charged with felony murder, malice murder, aggravated battery, false imprisonment, aggravated assault, kidnapping, hindering a 911 call, and concealing the death of another.

Chief Clark also pointed out that the 26-year-old did not have an extensive violent criminal history, adding that Ibarra was an “individual who woke up with bad intentions that day.”

The officer, who also determined that there were no indications of a continuing threat to the community, said there had been no motive.

After hearing about Riley’s passing, a few of her loved ones dedicated online tributes in her honor. A tearjerking Instagram message came from the sister of the late student, who attended the University of Georgia (UGA) through Spring Semester 2023 before transferring to the Augusta University College of Nursing program at Athens.

She went on to express how much she misses Riley and emphasized her everlasting love for the late student. Riley’s sister’s caption accompanied two heartwarming black-and-white photos of the two.

The bereaved friend contextualized their friendship, disclosing how the pair had “randomly” decided to become roommates four years ago, and how they became best friends instantaneously.

Adding another layer of heartbreak, Magana went on to note all the things she and Riley had plans to do together, “You were supposed to be by my side on my wedding day, you were supposed to be with us on graduation, you were supposed to visit the Alpha Castle with me as alum [sic].”

From footage depicting the duo laughing hysterically on a front porch to videos of the friends enjoying themselves on nights out, Huth gave people glimpses of how close she was to Riley.

Like Magana, Huth went on to talk about all the noteworthy life experiences Riley was supposed to share with her that will, sadly, never come to pass. Huth also reminisced over the memories she and Riley created.

“I will miss our runs where we thought we were going to pass out, our lifting sessions at Planet Fitness, our breaking out into song literally anywhere, and our daily strolls to Circle K for a Diet Coke,” expressed the grieving friend.

After noting how their sorority house will never be the same without Riley, Huth said, “I will forever be proud to have called you my bestest [sic] friend and roommate. I love you to the moon and back, and I can’t wait to see you when I get up there <3 We will forever and ever be Lincoln and Caroline […]❤️🏃🏽‍♀️💌.”