Athens, Ga. – A suspect is being questioned in reference to the investigation into the homicide of a school pupil discovered useless Thursday on the University of Georgia campus, authorities mentioned.
School police didn’t present particulars in regards to the man, insisting in an announcement that “that is an lively, ongoing investigation” into the dying of 22-year-old Laken Hope Riley.
officials said She had gone jogging and was discovered useless with “seen accidents” in a wooded space behind Lake Herrick on Thursday. Police mentioned foul play was suspected in her dying and on Friday referred to as the case a homicide investigation.
There was a heavy police presence Friday at an house constructing a couple of mile from Lake Herrick.
The college confirmed Friday that Riley was a pupil on the Athens campus of the Augusta University College of Nursing.
“We realized this morning that Athens authorities have confirmed the identification of our College of Nursing pupil who died on Thursday,” the college mentioned in an announcement. “We specific our deepest condolences to the household of Laken Riley, a junior and dean’s checklist pupil who attended our campus in Athens.”
“The sudden dying of one in every of our college students is actually heartbreaking,” the assertion mentioned. Counseling assist providers can be found to college students, college and employees, the assertion mentioned.
Augusta University President Brooks A. Keel described the information of the dying Thursday as “surprising to all of us.”
University of Georgia said on friday Riley was a pupil there in the course of the spring 2023 semester earlier than transferring to Augusta University.
Investigation
The University of Georgia mentioned police have been nonetheless on the scene within the Oconee Forest Park space of Intramural Fields on campus Friday morning on account of an ongoing homicide investigation.
School Police Chief Jeffrey Clark mentioned Thursday there are not any suspects but within the case, however it’s being actively investigated.
Police mentioned that round Thursday afternoon, somebody reported that their good friend had gone for a run within the intramural fields on campus within the morning and had not returned.
The lady’s physique was discovered behind Lake Herrick at 12:38 p.m. with trauma to her physique, Clark mentioned.
The state regulation enforcement company mentioned the Georgia Bureau of Investigation is aiding University Police. The Athens-Clarke County Police Department can be aiding.
In a message Thursday to the campus neighborhood, which incorporates greater than 40,000 college students, the college referred to as it a “horrible scenario.”
“The final 24 hours have been a painful time for our college. “Our pupil physique is mourning the sudden dying of one in every of our college students in Brumby Hall final night time,” the assertion mentioned.
Clark advised reporters throughout a press convention Thursday that there’s “no connection” between the 2 incidents. Details on the dying of the coed at Brumby Hall haven’t been launched.
“And as we mourn that tragic lack of life, right this moment’s devastating information will uniquely take a look at the resolve of our campus neighborhood, particularly our college students,” UGA mentioned within the assertion.
Safety issues on the lake
Bridget Boswell, a 21-year-old junior on the University of Georgia, mentioned Riley’s dying made her really feel “fairly sick to my abdomen.”
The information comes amid tense instances on the state’s flagship college. In addition to the dying of one other pupil originally of the week, midterms are underway.
Boswell described Lake Herrick as a secure haven for the campus, which is often busy with college students and locals.
“I believe it might have been anyone,” Boswell advised NBC News. “Earlier I felt very comfy on that lake. Like I took a nap alone in my swing, which I’ll by no means do once more. I had such a sense of belief.”
She mentioned she was on the lake Thursday morning and would go for a run there within the morning.
“I’ll go any time … and there will be folks from different faculties, cross nation groups working towards, it is not simply faculty college students. I’ve seen folks there strolling their canine like grown-ups, and folks can even go there fishing,” he mentioned. “I observed there have been numerous older folks on the market who can be alone and I by no means actually thought twice about it and now I’m interested by it and it makes me a bit of uneasy.”
He urged that the college set up extra emergency blue mild telephones as an extra security measure for college students.
Boswell mentioned, “I do not see them anymore.” “I truthfully assume it could be a giant assist in the precise path.”
The college mentioned all lessons have been canceled Thursday night and Friday. They will resume on Monday.
Clark mentioned there are safety cameras on the complicated, which spans 760 acres in Athens.
Clark mentioned there has not been a homicide on the campus in at the very least 20 years.
Phil Helsel and Marlene Lanthang reported from Los Angeles; and Blaine Alexander and Charlie Gilley from Athens.
