LAKEN Riley’s father has blasted politicians after the death of his daughter, saying that her horrific murder is being used to get votes.
Laken, a 22-year-old nursing student, was murdered while out for a jog on the University of Georgia campus on February 22.
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Her father, Jason Riley, spoke out about her death on Monday for the first time since the tragedy.
He said he’s worried that her murder is being used as a political ploy that has “incited people” ahead of the Presidential election in November.
Jason described his daughter as a “strong person” who was passionate about her studies and future career.
She was a nursing student in Augusta University’s off-campus program, the College of Nursing in Athens.
Her body was found shortly after her friend called the cops saying that she never returned from a run at UGA.
“I wish I would have been there to protect her,” Jason Riley told NBC News.
“I wish it would have been me.”
José Antonio Ibarra, 26, was arrested one day after Laken’s body was found and he was charged with felony murder, false imprisonment, and kidnapping.
Ibarra illegally entered the US two years ago and his arrest has further intensified the debate over immigration policies in the country.
His brother, Diego Ibarra, 29, was also arrested on separate charges after allegedly showing investigators a fake green card when he was questioned about his brother.
Diego reportedly has links to the deadly Tren de Aragua gang in Venezuela, according to the Department of Justice.
The case drew even more attention when President Joe Biden referred to Laken’s death in an unscripted moment during the State of the Union address earlier this month.
Biden was taunted by Republican Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who confronted him with a button with Laken’s name on it just before his speech.
Laken’s name has also been used by politicians at campaign rallies, in speeches, and for an immigration bill called the Laken Riley Act.
“I’d rather her not be such a political, how do you say — it started a storm in our country,” Jason said of his daughter’s death.
“And it’s incited a lot of people.”
He told NBC News that people “on both sides” have “lashed out at our families,” referring to him and Laken’s mother, Allyson Philips.
He and Allyson divorced when Laken was young but Jason said he maintained a close relationship with his daughter.
The two called each other often with Jason revealing that Laken told him she wanted to work at a children’s hospital after graduating from Augusta University’s nursing school.
The heartbroken dad described how Laken had written down her goals for the year, which included going out on a date since she had been a “study bug.”
The two last spoke about two weeks before her death, and she was busy with school, her sorority, and church.
It makes me angry. I feel like they’re just using my daughter’s name [to get those votes.] And she was much better than that, and she should be raised up for the person that she is.
Jason Riley, Laken’s father
“It was really surreal. I just didn’t want to believe it — it’s still hard to believe,” said Jason as he choked back tears.
“I wake up every day thinking that I can call her, and I can’t.”
The national spotlight on Laken’s death only adds to the grief, he said.
BIDEN’S ‘GAFFE’
Biden had criticism hurled at him after he seemed to mispronounce Laken’s name as “Lincoln Riley” during his SOTU speech.
“[Laken] Riley, an innocent young woman who was killed by an illegal,” he said, holding up a button with her name on it.
“To her parents, I say my heart goes out to you. Having lost children myself, I understand.”
Laken’s mom, Allyson, wrote a scathing Facebook post about the mistake after she was made aware of it.
“Biden does not even KNOW my child’s name – it’s pathetic! If you are going to say her name (even when forced to do so) at least say the right name!” she wrote.
Jason Riley, however, said he felt overwhelmed with how politicized his daughter’s death has become.
“I think it’s being used politically, to get those votes,” he said.
“It makes me angry. I feel like they’re just using my daughter’s name for that. And she was much better than that, and she should be raised up for the person that she is. She was an angel.”
Former President Donald Trump has also referenced Laken’s death on multiple occasions over the past few weeks.
He said he spoke with Laken’s parents while visiting the southern border last month.
“The parents are devastated and they’re incredible people,” he said.
“This is a Joe Biden invasion. A Biden invasion. I call him crooked Joe… the most incompetent president we’ve ever had.”
Trump called Laken a “beautiful 22-year-old nursing student” who was “barbarically attacked.”
Jason Riley said that he does support Trump and while he would prefer Laken’s death “not be so political,” he added that it has led to necessary conversations about how to secure the southern border and help women, especially victims of human trafficking.
“Laken has been a rallying cry for secure borders and for the illegal immigration policies of this current administration, but there’s many women we don’t get to hear about,” Jason said.
‘SMOKE AND MIRRORS’
Some Democrats have also accused Republicans of using Laken’s murder to score political points.
Georgia Rep. Mike Collins authored a bill in response to Laken’s death on the day of Biden’s State of the Union address.
The bill passed in the House with the support of 37 Democrats.
If signed into law, it would require US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to take undocumented immigrants who commit theft-related crimes, such as shoplifting, into custody.
It will also allow state attorney generals to sue to stop the US Homeland Security secretary from taking immigration action when supposed “policy failures” harm the state of its citizens.
Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock slammed the House bill, calling it “smoke and mirrors” created by Republicans.
He said that “rather than demagoguing this tragic death [of] this young woman, they ought to get serious.”
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