A nursing student found dead near the University of Georgia at Athens has been identified as 22-year-old Laken Hope Riley.
The Augusta University student’s body was found on Thursday afternoon after her roommate reported her missing, saying Riley had not returned from jogging.
The University of Georgia said the victim was a former undergraduate at the school in 2023, who had since enrolled at Augusta University’s nursing program, which has a campus in Athens.
UGA has has urged students to travel ‘in groups’ and has canceled classes after Riley was found dead with ‘visible injuries’ in a wooded area.
‘The individual was unconscious and not breathing and had visible injuries,’ Police Chief Jeff Clark said. EMS responders determined the victim was dead, he said.
A nursing student found dead near the University of Georgia at Athens has been identified as 22-year-old Laken Hope Riley
Police Chief Jeff Clark did not provide details on how the woman died, citing the ongoing investigation
There has not been a homicide on campus in the last 20 years
The student’s body was found on Thursday afternoon after her roommate reported her missing, saying Riley had not returned from jogging
University of Georgia police suspect foul play and said they are working with local police to investigate the death, but say they do not yet have a suspect.
Chief Clark did not provide details on how the woman died, citing the ongoing investigation.
He said his department, along with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Athens-Clarke County Police Department, were conducting the investigation.
Clark noted that there has not been a homicide on campus in the last 20 years.
‘We’re not going to leave any rock unturned in this investigation,’ he said.
He also acknowledged that police do not have a suspect in the case yet.
University of Georgia police suspect foul play and said they are working with local police to investigate the death,. Riley is seen with her parents
Police do not have a suspect in the case as of Friday and a cause of death is pending
The University of Georgia said the victim was a former undergraduate at the school in 2023
Police search a wooded area at the University of Georgia after the shock discovery Thursday
‘When you have a suspect that’s on the loose, there’s always a danger. But there’s no immediate danger at this time.’
Kelly Girtz, the mayor of Athens-Clarke County, said he joined the community in ‘deep sadness over today’s murder’ and said the city was working with authorities to bring the investigation to a ‘rapid conclusion’.
Officers searching the area found the woman’s body in a forested area behind Lake Herrick.
That area is across a busy road from a large dorm and dining hall complex on what’s commonly called ‘East Campus.’ Most of the students in those dorms are freshmen.
‘The past 24 hours have been a traumatic time for our university,’ the University of Georgia said in a statement online, acknowledging the news came just hours after the unrelated ‘sudden death’ of another student the previous night.
‘And as we continue to mourn that tragic loss of life, today’s devastating news will uniquely test the resolve of our campus community, particularly our students.’
‘We have been fully briefed on this terrible situation,’ the statement continued. ‘Foul play is suspected, and we are already receiving support from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Athens-Clarke County Police Department to investigate this crime.
‘We want to assure you that the safety and welfare of our campus community is our top concern.
‘If you think you have any information related to this incident, we urge you to contact the UGA Police Department immediately at 706-542-2200.
‘In addition, all students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to download and use the UGA Safe app, which offers several important safety features, including emergency notification alerts and the ability to share location in real-time with the police, among others.
‘We also recommend that you travel in groups when possible and be aware of your surroundings.’
‘We are announcing that classes on the Athens campus are cancelled after 5:30 p.m. this evening, February 22. They will remain cancelled tomorrow. We will resume classes on Monday, February 26,’ they added.