ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY, Ga. – Two years after the heartbreaking loss of Laken Riley, her family, friends, and the Athens community united on Saturday morning to keep her memory alive during the “Run for Your Life” 5K event.
The race began at 8:00 a.m. with an impressive turnout of 588 registered participants. As the last runners completed the race, the atmosphere transitioned from energetic excitement to a poignant moment of reflection for all involved.
Laken Riley, a dedicated nursing student at Augusta University’s Athens campus, was tragically murdered while jogging near Lake Herrick on the University of Georgia campus on February 22, 2024. Her assailant, Jose Ibarra, was subsequently convicted on all charges, including malice murder, and was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
Many shared touching remembrances of Laken, with her sister, Lauren Phillips, delivering an emotional tribute. She described their relationship as one of deep friendship and sisterhood. “Laken was my best, best, best friend,” Phillips stated, recalling Laken’s nurturing nature. “I’m just blessed that I had 17 years with her.”
Phillips also opened up about her own spiritual journey after the loss, revealing that she initially struggled with her faith but ultimately found solace in Laken’s legacy of love and belief. “She was the light of the room. Her smile and her laugh—everyone just knows she was so perfect. I know she pushed so many people to Jesus,” she said.
The event and Laken’s tragic story have also driven important legislative changes. U.S. Representative Mike Collins addressed attendees, discussing the Laken Riley Act, which was formally enacted on January 29, 2025. Collins described the legislation as a pivotal step in immigration policy, necessitating that local law enforcement inform Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) when undocumented individuals commit crimes, regardless of severity.
“I asked the family if we could put her name on it,” Collins shared. “They said if it’ll help save lives so that there’s a possibility another family won’t have to go through this, then please do that.”
While the family firmly supports measures to avert future tragedies, they emphasize the importance of remembering Laken for who she was—loving daughter, devoted sister, and cherished friend—rather than as a political figure.
This gathering serves as both a solemn reminder of the loss they endured and a celebration of Laken’s enduring spirit within the community.