A college student and wrestler from Nebraska has now been identified as the woman tragically killed in a Bexar County double shooting earlier this week. The investigation is now classified as a murder-suicide.
According to the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, Jessica Villanueva, 22, was visiting from Nebraska when she was shot and killed by Ian Riles, 24, on Wednesday, October 14, inside a home in the 7600 block of Overview Place.
Preliminary info released by the department stated that Riles and Villanueva were romantically involved, and that the two had an argument leading up to the shooting. But Villanueva’s mother, Jessica Faye, refutes those claims. Saying that, the two were just close friends, and not in any kind of romantic relationship.
Jessica said her daughter had flown to San Antonio to see Riles because he was depressed.
“This has completely shattered our hearts, and it has left, I know for sure, my soul empty,” Jessica said, per the KTUL.
After shooting Villanueva, Riles then turned the gun on himself, investigators say. The 24-year-old reportedly survived the initial shooting but roughly 24 hours later, the BCSO confirmed that Riles was pronounced dead.
According to KSAT, the Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office was still conducting an autopsy on him as of Friday evening. However, they have since ruled Villanueva’s death as a homicide.
Villanueva was a senior student-athlete at Doane University where she competed on the school’s wrestling team. She was studying to become a software engineer, her mother says. And she was set to graduate in December.
“This has been the most difficult thing that any of us have ever dealt with,” she said. “She had that light, she had that spirit, she had that gift of giving and just trying to help people regardless of what their situation was.”
Doane University has since released a statement on Villanueva’s passing. Remembering the 22-year-old student-athlete for her vibrant and bright personality.
“Doane is saddened by the tragic loss of senior Jessica Villanueva earlier this week,” the statement reads. “Jessica was a vibrant, bright, young woman and we all miss her very much. Information resources and support have been sent to faculty, staff and students. As we navigate this difficult time, our thoughts and prayers are with Jessica’s family in Texas and all her friends here in our community.”
Sheriff Javier Salazar said this case marks the seventh murder-suicide in the county this year. Villanueva’s mother, Jessica Faye, says that the family plans to follow her daughter’s body home once the medical examiner releases it.