University of Georgia Death: What We Know After Student Nurse's Body Found

A woman found dead on the University of Georgia (UGA) campus has been confirmed to be a 22-year-old student.

An investigation is underway after Laken Riley was found dead on the campus on February 22. The university confirmed police suspect "foul play."

Riley was a student at the Augusta University College of Nursing program at Athens and was previously enrolled at UGA until the semester of 2023.

What We Know

Police found Riley after they received a phone call from a concerned friend who reported she had not returned from a morning run. Police began searching at around 12:07 p.m. Thursday and located an individual in a wooded area behind Lake Herrick around 12:38 p.m.

Riley's family has been notified and her mom Allyson Phillips said in a Facebook post the day before Riley was found dead that she was "missing her daughter" while on vacation.

Investigation

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation, UGA Police and the Athens-Clarke County Police Department are investigating. Authorities have appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

The University of Georgia Police told Newsweek they have identified a person of interest who is being questioned, saying, "We want to stress that this continues to be an active, ongoing investigation, and we will provide further updates when circumstances warrant."

It is currently unclear how Riley died. CNN reported an examination of the body is due to take place later on February 23.

Newsweek has approached the other two departments for further comment.

Riley was found on the Athens campus with "visible injuries," and was "not conscious and not breathing" before being declared dead on arrival at the hospital.

Classes were canceled on February 23, but students are not in "immediate danger," University of Georgia (UGA) Chief of Police Jeffrey Clark said.

"When you have a suspect that's on the loose, there's always a danger," Clark said to reporters on Thursday. "But there's no immediate danger at this time."

People have been asked to avoid the forested area and the university's Intramural Fields.

"Police personnel are still on the scene at the Oconee Forest Park area of the Intramural Fields, so please continue to avoid the forested area while the investigation is ongoing," UGA said in an update on Friday.

Shocked university

Augusta University President Brooks A. Keel said the death was a "shocking" development.

Keel said in a statement: "We have learned this morning that authorities in Athens have confirmed the identity of our College of Nursing student who passed away Thursday. 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."

He added: "Please keep Laken's family, friends and fellow nursing students in your thoughts and prayers."

Chief Clark said there has not been a homicide on campus for 20 years.

Update 02/23/24 1:26 p.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from the University of Georgia Police.