The mother of a 22-year-old nursing student in the US who was tragically murdered while jogging on campus, has found solace in her Christian faith amidst the profound sorrow of her family's loss.
In a heartfelt Facebook post shared earlier this week, Allyson Phillips expressed her gratitude for the overwhelming support her family has received in the wake of her daughter, Laken Riley's, death.
Riley’s body was discovered last month after being killed while she was out for a jog on trails around the University of Georgia campus.
Authorities later determined that she had succumbed to blunt force trauma.
"As I sat down to write this message, I really just have no words. My family has faced the most devastating, unimaginable loss that anyone could ever be forced to endure," Phillips wrote.
"I would like to thank my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, for being with me and my family during this heart-breaking time. I encourage everyone to have a personal relationship with Jesus. I give Him all the glory for getting us through this."
Phillips continued, acknowledging the immense outpouring of love and support her family received in the aftermath of this senseless tragedy.
"It would be really easy to lose our faith in mankind because of this senseless and avoidable tragedy. The amount of love, support and help that we have received during this horrific nightmare is overwhelming."
On her Facebook page, Phillips also shared an image featuring her daughter's name encased within a black-and-white heart, accompanied by the hashtag: "#SayHerName."
Police say 26-year-old Venezuelan national Jose Antonio Ibarra is has been arrested as a suspect in the case. They say he entered the US illegally in 2022, but was released due to a lack of detention space.
According to US Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, Ibarra was arrested by New York police on 31st August, 2023, and charged with causing injury to a child and a driving violation. He was released before ICE could request that police hold him for immigration authorities.
Georgia's Republican Governor, Brian Kemp, penned a letter to US President Joe Biden following Riley's murder, condemning the administration's border policies and demanding answers regarding the suspect's immigration status and release.