A man accused of killing Georgia nursing student Laken Riley while she was out for a run earlier this year was found guilty Wednesday and sentenced to life without parole in a case that reignited the national debate over immigration and crime.

Before Jose Ibarra was sentenced for the murder of Laken Riley on Wednesday afternoon, her family addressed the courtroom with heartbreaking testimony. On Wednesday morning, Ibarra was convicted of attacking and killing Riley while she was on a morning jog on the University of Georgia campus in February.

As the judge weighed his sentence, the family of Riley shared the promise of her life and the depths of their tragic loss.