Father Sues Georgia University System Over Daughter's Campus Murder

Laken Riley's father alleges negligence led to her death by Venezuelan man living nearby

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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The father of Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student killed on the University of Georgia campus in 2024, has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the state university system. The lawsuit alleges the Board of Regents failed to provide a safe campus, notify students of a nearby threat, and properly screen employees, which allowed the Venezuelan man charged with Riley's murder to live on campus.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing debates around campus safety, immigration policies, and the responsibilities of universities and property managers to protect students and the public. Riley's death heightened national tensions over immigration issues.

The details

According to the lawsuit, just over an hour before Riley was killed, the suspect, Jose Ibarra, had looked into a graduate student's apartment window and tried to open the front door before fleeing. The lawsuit claims the university failed to notify students of this threat. It also alleges the Board of Regents failed to properly screen employees, which allowed Ibarra's brother, who was also in the country illegally, to be employed on campus. The lawsuit further accuses the property manager of the apartment complex where Ibarra lived of negligence in allowing him to reside there despite his illegal status and criminal history.

  • Laken Riley was killed on the University of Georgia campus on February 22, 2024.
  • The lawsuit was filed on Monday, February 27, 2026.

The players

Laken Riley

A 22-year-old nursing student at Augusta University College of Nursing, who was killed on the University of Georgia campus in 2024.

Jason Riley

The father of Laken Riley, who has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia.

Jose Ibarra

The Venezuelan man charged with and convicted of murdering Laken Riley on the University of Georgia campus in 2024.

Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia

The defendant in the wrongful-death lawsuit, accused of negligence that led to Laken Riley's death.

Property management company

Also named as a defendant in the lawsuit, accused of negligence in allowing Ibarra to live in the apartment complex near the University of Georgia campus.

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What they’re saying

“Soon thereafter, with no knowledge of the potential assailant and no reason to suspect any danger, nursing student Laken Riley went for her routine morning run near the Intramural Fields on the UGA campus.”

— Jason Riley, Laken Riley's father (WRAL)

What’s next

The judge will decide whether to allow the case to proceed to a jury trial, where Riley's father is seeking compensatory and punitive damages, as well as reimbursement of legal costs.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the ongoing challenges universities face in balancing campus safety, immigration policies, and their duty of care to students. It also raises questions about the responsibilities of property managers in screening tenants near university campuses.