UGA Student Found Dead; Murder Suspect in Custody

On February 22, 2024, tragedy struck the University of Georgia community as the UGA Police Department responded to a distress call regarding a missing individual. Laken Riley, a former UGA student now enrolled in the Augusta University College of Nursing program at Athens, was reported missing after she failed to return from her morning run at the Intramural Fields.

Officers initiated a search of the area at approximately 12:20 p.m. and discovered Riley’s unconscious and injured body in the forested area behind Lake Herrick around 12:38 p.m. Despite immediate medical attention, emergency responders declared her deceased upon arrival.

Riley had been a student at UGA until the spring semester of 2023 before transferring to Augusta University.

A suspect in connection with Riley’s murder has been identified and apprehended by the University of Georgia Police Department.

Anyone with information relevant to the case is urged to contact the UGA Police Department immediately at 706-542-2200.