Georgia police are questioning a person of interest in connection with the murder of a nursing student found dead at the University of Georgia in Athens.
The remains of Laken Hope Riley, 22, were found Thursday afternoon after her roommate reported her missing and said Riley had not returned from jogging. Officials said Friday that she died of homicide but have yet to determine a manner of death pending an autopsy.
Several law enforcement agencies were seen heating up an apartment complex near the wooded area where Riley’s body was found.
A UGA spokesperson said the school’s police department did so has identified a person of interest who is being questioned. The man has not yet been identified.
The University of Georgia said Riley graduated from the school in 2023 and then enrolled in Augusta University’s nursing program, which has a campus in Athens.
A nursing student found dead near the University of Georgia in Athens has been identified as 22-year-old Laken Hope Riley
Behind the apartment complex is the wooded area with the hiking trail where Riley’s body was found. The police have arrested three men
Riley is seen in a photo posted to her Facebook account last month
There has not been a murder on campus in the past twenty years
The student’s body was found Thursday afternoon after her roommate reported her missing and said Riley had not returned from jogging
UGA has urged students to travel “in groups” and canceled classes after Riley was found dead with “visible injuries” in a wooded area.
“The individual was unconscious, not breathing and had visible injuries,” Police Chief Jeff Clark said. Emergency responders determined the victim was dead, he said.
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, conducted the investigation.
Clark noted that there has not been a homicide on campus in the past 20 years.
“We will leave no stone unturned in this investigation,” he said.
He also acknowledged that police do not yet have a suspect in the case.
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
The University of Georgia said the 2023 victim was a former student at the school
Police are searching a wooded area at the University of Georgia after Thursday’s shock discovery
‘When you have a suspect walking around freely, there is always danger. But there is no immediate danger at this time.”
Athens-Clarke County Mayor Kelly Girtz said he joined the community in “deep sadness over today’s homicide” and said the city was working with authorities to “quickly conclude” the investigation.
Officers searching the area found the woman’s body in a wooded area behind Lake Herrick.
That area is across a busy road from a large student and dining hall complex on what is commonly referred to as “East Campus.” Most of the students in these dorms are freshmen.
“The past 24 hours have been a traumatic time for our university,” the University of Georgia said in a statement rack online, acknowledging that the news came just hours after the unrelated “sudden death” of another student the night before.
“And as we continue to mourn that tragic loss of life, today’s devastating news will uniquely test the resolve of our campus community, especially our students.”
“We have been fully informed of this terrible situation,” the statement continued. “Feeling is suspected, and we are already receiving support from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Athens-Clarke County Police Department to investigate this crime.
Police Chief Jeff Clark did not provide details on how the woman died, citing the ongoing investigation
The police do not yet have a suspect in the case on Friday and the cause of death is not yet known
“We want to assure you that the safety and well-being of our campus community is our utmost concern.
“If you believe you have any information regarding this incident, we urge you to immediately contact the UGA Police Department at 706-542-2200.
“Additionally, all students, faculty and staff are encouraged to download and use the UGA Safe app, which provides several important safety features including emergency notifications and the ability to share location with law enforcement in real time, among other things.
‘We also recommend that you travel in groups where possible and be aware of your surroundings.’
“We are announcing that classes on the Athens campus will be canceled tonight, February 22, after 5:30 PM. They remain canceled tomorrow. We will resume classes on Monday, February 26,” she added.