ATHENS, Ga. — A woman who had gone for a jog was found dead with “visible injuries” Thursday on the campus of the University of Georgia, and foul play is suspected in her death, officials said.
The victim was identified Friday as 22-year-old Laken Hope Riley by the university.
Police did not release additional details, including the suspected cause of death, citing the active investigation.
“We do not have a suspect, but we are actively investigating the case,” University of Georgia Police Chief Jeffrey Clark said Thursday.
Riley was junior at Augusta University’s College of Nursing, the university confirmed Friday.
“We have learned this morning that authorities in Athens have confirmed the identity of our College of Nursing student who passed away Thursday,” Augusta University said. “We extend our deepest sympathies to the family of Laken Riley, a junior and Dean’s List student who studied at our campus in Athens.”
“This sudden loss of one of our students is truly heartbreaking,” the statement said, noting counseling support services are available for students, faculty and staff.
Clark had said Thursday that the victim was not a University of Georgia student, but one at another institution. Augusta University said Thursday one of its students at its Athens campus had died of suspected foul play.
“The receipt of this news this afternoon was shocking to all of us,” Augusta University President Brooks A. Keel said Thursday.
Around noon, someone reported that their friend had gone for a run at the Intramural Fields on campus that morning and had not returned, police said.
The woman’s body was found in a forested area behind Lake Herrick at 12:38 p.m., and she had visible injuries, Clark said.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is assisting university police, the state law enforcement agency said. Athens-Clarke County Police is also helping.
In a message Thursday to the campus community, which includes more than 40,000 students, the university called it a “terrible situation.”
“The past 24 hours have been a traumatic time for our University. Our student body is grieving the sudden death of one our students in Brumby Hall last night,” the statement said.
Clark told reporters during a news conference Thursday that “there is no connection” between the two incidents. Details on the student’s death in Brumby Hall have not been released.
“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 said in the statement.
All classes were canceled Thursday evening and Friday, the university said. They will resume Monday.
Clark said that there are security cameras on the campus, which covers 760 acres in Athens.
Clark said there hasn’t been a homicide on campus in at least 20 years.
Phil Helsel reported from Los Angeles; Blayne Alexander from Athens; and Marlene Lenthang from Los Angeles.