PICTURED: University of Georgia nursing student, 22, found dead with 'visible injuries' at campus lake after going for a run

• The student’s body was found on Thursday afternoon after her roommate reported her missing 
• University of Georgia police suspect foul play and said they are working with local police to investigate the death 

A nursing student found dead near the University of Georgia at Athens has been identified as 22-year-old Laken Hope Riley.

The student’s body was found on Thursday afternoon after her roommate reported her missing, saying Riley had not returned from jogging.

UGA has has urged students to travel ‘in groups’ and has canceled classes after a nursing student was found dead with ‘visible injuries’ in a wooded area.

‘The individual was unconscious and not breathing and had visible injuries,’ the chief said. EMS 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.

A nursing student found dead near the University of Georgia at Athens has been identified as 22-year-old Laken Hope Riley

Police Chief Jeff Clark did not provide details on how the woman died, citing the ongoing investigation

A student was found dead in a wooded area behind Lake Herrick at the UGA’s Athens campus

The University of Georgia said the victim was a former undergraduate at the school in 2023, who had since enrolled at Augusta University’s nursing program, which has a campus in Athens.

Police Chief Jeff Clark did not provide details on how the woman died, citing the ongoing investigation.

Clark said his department, along with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Athens-Clarke County Police Department, were conducting the investigation.

He noted that there has not been a homicide on campus in the last 20 years.

‘We’re not going to leave any rock unturned in this investigation,’ he said.

He also acknowledged that police do not have a suspect in the case yet.

The University of Georgia said the victim was a former undergraduate at the school in 2023

Police search a wooded area at the University of Georgia after the shock discovery Thursday

‘When you have a suspect that’s on the loose, there’s always a danger. But there’s no immediate danger at this time.’

Kelly Girtz, the mayor of Athens-Clarke County, said he joined the community in ‘deep sadness over today’s murder’ and said the city was working with authorities to bring the investigation to a ‘rapid conclusion’.

Officers searching the area found the woman’s body in a forested area behind Lake Herrick.

That area is across a busy road from a large dorm and dining hall complex on what’s commonly called ‘East Campus.’ Most of the students in those dorms are freshmen.

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