By Raul Castillo
04 Mar 2024, 17:08 PM EST
The mother of Laken Riley, the University of Georgia nursing student allegedly murdered by a Hispanic man, spoke for the first time since the event, calling it an “avoidable tragedy.”
“When I sat down to write this message, I truly had no words,” the woman, Allyson Phillips, wrote on Facebook. “My family has faced the most devastating and unimaginable loss anyone could be forced to endure.”
He added that “it would be really easy to lose our faith in humanity because of this senseless and avoidable tragedy.” However, he said his family has received an overwhelming “amount of love, support and help” during what he described as a “horrible nightmare.”
“I can’t begin to tell you how much we appreciate all of the texts, calls, flowers, meals, groceries, bows, photographs, personal gifts, memorials, gift cards and donations to Laken’s foundation,” Phillips wrote on his social network.
“We are beyond grateful for everyone who has stepped up to be here for us during this difficult time. The outpouring of love has been so enormous, I felt this was the best way to thank everyone in a timely manner. I hope each and every one of you know how much we love you and appreciate everything you have done.”
He asked that they continue praying
Phillips thanked Jesus Christ for being with her and her family during this “heartbreaking time.” “I encourage everyone to have a personal relationship with Jesus. I give him all the glory for getting us through this,” she said.
He asked people to continue praying for his family as they “put one foot in front of the other moving forward.”
Riley was killed while running around the University of Georgia campus. The alleged murderer was identified as José Antonio Ibarra, a 26-year-old Venezuelan citizen who was living illegally in the United States.
The man is charged with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, hindering a 911 call and concealing the death of another person.
Keep reading:
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- They arrested the brother of the suspect who murdered a student in Georgia: he had a fake green card
- University of Georgia asked to increase security after campus murder