22-Year-Old Nursing Student Found Dead on University of Georgia Campus

Tragedy struck the University of Georgia (UGA) campus as the body of 22-year-old nursing student Laken Hope Riley was discovered on Thursday, sending shockwaves through the community and prompting investigations into the circumstances surrounding her death. Riley, a student at Augusta University and a resident of Athens, was reported missing by a friend after she failed to return from a routine jog at the UGA Intramural Fields on Thursday morning. A subsequent search led by UGA Police Chief Jeff Clark ended in a harrowing discovery when Riley's lifeless body was found in a wooded area behind a lake on campus. The grim revelation was shared with the public during a press conference streamed by Fox 5 Atlanta, where Chief Clark revealed that Riley was found unconscious, without vital signs, and with visible injuries. Despite efforts by medical personnel, she was pronounced dead at the scene. Augusta University President Brooks A. Keel confirmed Riley's identity in a statement obtained by NBC News. UGA officials expressed profound sorrow over Riley's untimely death, assuring the campus community of their commitment to ensuring safety and conducting a thorough investigation. Suspicions of foul play have arisen, prompting collaborative efforts between UGA, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and the Athens-Clarke County Police Department to probe the circumstances surrounding Riley's demise. The tragic incident adds to the somber atmosphere on campus, coming just one day after the University mourned the loss of another student to suicide. Despite the proximity of the two deaths, Chief Clark affirmed that they are unrelated, offering condolences to those affected by the recent tragedies. In response to the devastating losses, UGA announced the cancellation of classes on Thursday and Friday, with plans to resume regular schedules on Monday, February 26. Similarly, Augusta University's College of Nursing campus in Athens suspended classes on Friday, CNN reported, as students and faculty grappled with grief and shock. "The past 24 hours have been a traumatic time for our University," UGA expressed in a statement. "Our student body is grieving the sudden death of one of our students... 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." As investigations continue into Riley's death, the UGA community remains united in mourning the loss of a promising young student, reflecting on the profound impact of her life and the tragic circumstances that led to her untimely demise.   Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com