Just before Jose Antonio Ibarra was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of the Augusta University nursing student, her mother shared a victim impact statement saying the defendant "robbed" her family of "all our hopes and dreams."

"This monster took away our chances to see Laken graduate from nursing school," Phillips said, per NBC News, through tears at the Nov. 20 sentencing. "He took away our ability to meet our future son-in-law. He destroyed our chances of meeting our grandchildren, and he took my best friend."

She continued, "He took away every beautiful memory we won't ever be able to make with her again."

Riley's mom -- who also shares daughter Lauren Riley with ex Jason Riley -- went on to painfully describe her daughter's final moments before she was murdered on the morning of February 22 during a run.