ATHENS, Ga. — A suspect has been taken into custody in connection to the death of Laken Riley, a 22-year-old Augusta University nursing student who was found dead on the University of Georgia's campus Thursday, according to school officials.
"At this time, there are no indications of a continuing threat to the UGA campus related to this matter," UGA Police said in a statement.
In a 7 p.m. update, UGA Police Chief Jeff Clark said 26-year-old Jose Antonio Ibarra is facing malice murder and other charges in connection with the crime.
Authorities officially ruled Riley's death a homicide Friday. Athens-Clarke County Police and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation are also working on the ongoing investigation.
11Alive crews were at the scene at the Cielo at Azulyk and Argo Apartment Community Friday, where there was a large police presence. Agents with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the UGA Police Department could be seen processing the scene, including digging through a dumpster near the apartments.
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The complex is less than two miles away from where Riley's body was found near the UGA intramural fields.
UGA Police previously said they were called by a concerned friend around noon on Feb. 22. The friend said Riley had gone for a run at the fields on UGA's campus but had not returned, according to authorities.
That's when officers headed down, arriving around 12:38 p.m. to search for Riley. Not too long after, she was found dead behind Lake Herrick in the forested area on campus.
This is a developing story. Check back often for new information.
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