A judge has sentenced Jose Ibarra to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the brutal murder of Laken Riley.
In a bench trial, Judge H. Patrick Haggard found Ibarra guilty of all 10 charges he faced, including kidnapping, aggravated assault with intent to rape, and tampering with evidence. The prosecution, however, opted not to pursue the death penalty.
Ibarra, who appeared subdued throughout the hearing, was also handed the maximum sentences for his other offenses. These include obstruction of a 911 call and violating privacy laws under the “Peeping Tom” statute. The sentences will be served consecutively, totaling two life sentences plus 27 additional years in prison.
The emotional toll of the case was evident as Carrie Howell, a longtime friend of Laken Riley’s family, spoke in court before the sentencing. Howell described the profound anguish the Riley family has endured since February 22, 2024, when Laken disappeared during a morning run.
“When I got the call that Laken hadn’t returned home and was missing, I knew something horrible had happened to her,” Howell recalled, her voice breaking. “I prayed she was still alive, hoping the worst would be a kidnapping, but the alternative was far worse.”
That “alternative” became tragically real when Howell received a second call from her husband, confirming that Laken had been found dead. “He said, ‘She’s with Jesus, brother.’ That moment will never leave me,” Howell tearfully shared in court.
The heart-wrenching testimony shed light on the profound impact Laken’s death has had on those who loved her, marking the end of a long, painful chapter for her family.
