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Laken Hope Riley and investigators searching the scene where her body was found (WXIA screenshots)
A 22-year-old nursing student in Georgia who was reported missing after not returning from a morning run on Thursday was found dead on the University of Georgia campus and “foul play” was suspected. Police identified the victim as Laken Hope Riley and said that there are currently no suspects in what is being treated as a murder investigation.
According to a news release from the University of Georgia Police Department, Riley was a student at UGA through the spring 2023 semester before she transferred to the Augusta University College of Nursing program in Athens, where she had been enrolled at the time of her death.
Officers with UGA Police at approximately 12:07 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 22, responded to a call from a friend of Riley’s who reported that the 22-year-old had gone for a run at the Intramural Fields earlier in the morning and had not returned as expected.
Upon arriving at the recreational area that includes several athletic fields, tennis courts, and trails for running and biking, first responders at approximately 12:20 p.m. searched the surrounding area and quickly located Riley “in the forested area behind Lake Herrick” at about 12:38 p.m., police said.
“She was unconscious and not breathing, and had received visible injuries,” the release states. “Officers immediately began rendering medical aid. Emergency medical responders determined that she was deceased upon their arrival.”
UGA Police Chief Jeffrey L. Clark provided additional details about the incident during a news briefing that began with him saying “This is a tragic day.” Clark said that his department was “actively investigating” the homicide in close cooperation with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Athens-Clarke County Police Department, and federal law enforcement partners.
Clark confirmed that investigators did not have a suspect in Riley’s slaying as of Thursday evening, noting that it was the first recorded homicide on the campus in at least 20 years.
“When you have a suspect that’s on the loose, there’s always a danger,” Clark said in response to a reporter’s question, before adding that there was “no immediate danger at this time.”
Clark also confirmed that Riley’s death was not believed to be connected to the death of another student who died late Wednesday evening on campus.
“There is no connection to the death yesterday and today’s death,” he said. “There is no connection at all.”
Anyone with information that could possibly be related to Riley’s death, or who may have witnessed something relevant or suspicious anywhere near the Intramural Fields between 7 a.m. and noon on Thursday, is being urged to contact the police immediately at 706-542-2200.
The university on Thursday afternoon issued a statement.
“The past 24 hours have been a traumatic time for our University,” the school said. “Our student body is grieving the sudden death of one our students in Brumby Hall last 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.”
UGA also canceled Thursday evening and Friday classes as a result of the murder.
