A judge in Athens heard testimony Monday from experts who used watch and phone data to place murder victim Laken Riley and Jose Ibarra — the suspect in her death — in the same location on the morning of Feb. 22. The data provided a detailed timeline of Riley’s final moments.
What’s Happening: Prosecutors focused on GPS and biometric data extracted from Riley’s smartwatch and phone records tied to Ibarra. Here’s what the testimony revealed:
• Timeline of Riley’s Run:
• At 9:08 a.m., Riley was running at a steady pace.
• By 9:10:39 a.m., her watch’s SOS function activated. Seconds later, her speed dropped to zero, and she attempted to call 911.
• At 9:11:06 a.m., the 911 call was placed, and by 9:28:23 a.m., her heart rate dropped to zero.
• Proximity of Devices:
• FBI Agent James Berni testified that Riley’s watch data and Ibarra’s phone activity showed both devices were in the same wooded area during the crucial time.
• Cell tower data indicated Ibarra’s phone left his residence at 6:52 a.m., was near Riley’s location between 9:15 and 9:27 a.m., and moved toward a tower by 9:40 a.m.
The Defense: Defense attorneys argued the evidence is circumstantial and pointed to shared living arrangements between Ibarra and his brother. The defense suggested shared use of clothing, phones, and other items could explain the phone’s movements.
Go Deeper
B.T. Clark
B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist with 25-years experience in journalism. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is the publisher of The Georgia Sun and a fifth-generation Georgian.
