by In a tragic incident that has rocked the community, a 22-year-old nursing student from Augusta University was found dead on the University of Georgia’s campus. The victim, identified as Laken Riley, was a full-time student at UGA for three years before enrolling in nursing school at Augusta University’s campus in Athens.
The discovery of the deceased student with visible injuries in a forested area behind Lake Herrick has raised concerns about the circumstances surrounding her death. Georgia criminal defense attorney Philip Holloway has suggested that foul play may be involved, hinting at the possibility of a criminal homicide.
UGA police are currently investigating the case, with classes at both UGA and Augusta University College of Nursing campus canceled as a result. Holloway mentioned the use of a geofence to track movement in the area and the impact of a recent AT&T outage on the investigation.
The location of the incident, Lake Herrick, is a popular spot on UGA’s campus, known for its recreational beach and pedestrian trail. Authorities have urged the public to avoid the area as investigations continue.
The tragic news was met with shock and sadness by the community, with Athens-Clarke County Mayor Kelly Girtz expressing condolences and promising to collaborate with UGA PD to bring the investigation to a swift conclusion. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) and Athens Clarke-County Police Department are assisting in the case.
As details unfold and investigations continue, anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact UGA police at 706-542-2200. The community is coming together to support one another during this difficult time as they seek justice for the victim.
