The 22-year-old’s diary entry, written in December 2023, was one of her last and shared her hopes and dreams for the future. Phillips, struggling to hold back tears, began reading the letter in court: “To my future husband, as silly as I feel writing this, my old small group leader once recommended it, so here I am. I want you to know I’m thinking about you.” Riley then shared how she was working to become the best wife she could be, focusing on her faith and relationships to prepare for her future family.
Laken Riley’s stepfather reads one of her final journal entries: “To my future husband, I want you to know that I’m focusing on God and on what he defines as a faithful, Christian life. I pray we prioritize the Lord in every aspect of our lives.” pic.twitter.com/S0dsHQDeno
— TheBlaze (@theblaze) November 20, 2024
“I’m working every day to become the best wife I can be,” the entry continued, “and focusing on God and what He defines as a faithful Christian wife so that I can best embody those characteristics.” She spoke of her deep faith and trust in God, believing her future husband was chosen by Him. Riley expressed her desire to raise a family founded on Christian values, writing, “I can’t wait to love you in the best way I know how for the rest of our lives.”
The letter concluded with, “May our relationship last forever, Your future wife, Laken.” Phillips, choked with emotion, told the court that Laken’s life had been full of promise, and that this journal entry captured her essence better than any words he could offer. “That, Your Honor, is just a glimpse of what was tragically and brutally taken from her and us that day,” he said.
Riley was murdered on February 22, 2024, while jogging near the University of Georgia campus. Ibarra, a 26-year-old member of the Tren de Aragua gang, attempted to sexually assault her before repeatedly smashing her head with a rock. Prosecutors revealed that Riley fought desperately for her life, leaving deep scratches on Ibarra’s neck and wrists, which became key evidence in his conviction.
Ibarra was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
