Woman found dead on UGA campus identified as Augusta University nursing student, officials say

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ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First)-Authorities are investigating the death of a woman on the University of Georgia campus after she did not return from a morning run, the school announced Thursday afternoon.

The coroner’s office identified the woman as 22-year-old Laken Hope Riley. Augusta University confirmed that she was a student at the Athens College of Nursing campus.

UGA police said they received a call shortly after noon from a person who was concerned about their friend, who had not returned from running on the intramural fields. About 20 minutes later, police found Riley in a wooded area behind Lake Herrick with “visible injuries.” Officers attempted to provide emergency aid, but the woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

The school said in a letter to students that “foul play is suspected” and added that “the safety and well-being of our campus community is our primary concern.”

All classes at UGA have been canceled through Monday. Augusta University School of Nursing canceled classes Friday.

“My roommate and I, like almost everyone I know, parked there. My boyfriend and I run there all the time,” said Izzy Whitesides, a UGA student. “The fact that the person has not yet been captured is really scary. “That’s why I had someone come walk me back to my car.”

“It’s really beautiful and peaceful, and now I feel like it’s polluted. It’s a little scary,” said Alena Wiggins, a UGA student.

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UGA Police Chief Jeffery Clark said the woman was not a UGA student but rather from another school.

UGA Police Chief Jeffery Clark encouraged the public to avoid the general area where the body was found as campus police, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Athens-Clarke County Police Department investigate.

Clark said no suspect has been identified, but police are “actively investigating the case” and there is no immediate danger to the public.

“This is a tragic day,” he said. “My investigators will be working this case day and night and looking at every camera we have.”

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Police believe there may have been foul play.

The school also mentioned a second death on campus just hours earlier. A student died Wednesday night in Brumby Hall, UGA said in a statement, calling it a “traumatic moment for our university.”

“And as we continue to mourn that tragic loss of life, today’s devastating news will uniquely test the resolve of our university community, particularly our students,” they wrote. The university did not say how the student died, but the student’s high school alma mater said the death was a suicide.

Clark said at Thursday’s news conference that the two deaths are not related.

Riley’s death is the first homicide on campus in 41 years.

Police ask anyone with information about the incident to call the UGA Police Department at (706) 542-2200.

The University of Georgia offers 24/7 mental health crisis support to all students. They should call 706-542-2273 to speak to someone.

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