CNN
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A suspect has been taken into custody by campus police in connection with the murder of an Augusta University School of Nursing student on the University of Georgia campus in Athens, UGA said.
“The suspect in the murder of Laken Riley has been taken into custody at the University of Georgia Police Department,” the university announced. social media posts. “At this time, there is no indication that there is an ongoing threat to the UGA campus related to this matter.”
The university will hold a press conference at 7 p.m. ET to provide more information on the matter.
Uga Police previously announced they had identified a key figure being questioned amid an intense search for the student's killer.
Investigators searched wooded areas on campus, trying to find clues about Riley's killer. She was found dead after jogging in the area.
“We would like to emphasize that this remains an active and ongoing investigation,” spokesman Greg Trevor said.
Riley was a student at the Augusta University College of Nursing campus in Athens, which is also home to the University of Georgia. She was a junior on her dean's list, according to Augusta University.
Riley was a student at the University of Georgia until 2023 before enrolling at Augusta University, UGA spokesman Cole Sosebee said.
Her body was discovered Thursday afternoon near a lake on the UGA campus. Her body was publicly identified Friday morning.
Athens-Clarke County Coroner Sonny Wilson told CNN that Riley's cause and manner of death will not be determined until an examination of the body is scheduled for later Friday.
Friday's classes were canceled as authorities continue to search for clues and the two university communities grieve.
Jeffrey L. Clark, chief of the University of Georgia Police Department, said Thursday evening that authorities received a call around noon Thursday from a person concerned that a friend had gone jogging at the university's intramurals and never returned. Ta.
Clark said investigators found the body of a man jogging behind a nearby lake around 12:38 p.m.
Police said they suspect foul play was involved. However, no suspicious information or possible motive has been made public.
Asked if there was a danger to the public after the death and before the suspect was taken into custody, the police chief said: However, there is no immediate danger at this time. ”
Retrieved from CNN
Laken Hope Riley attended UGA before studying nursing at Augusta University.
All classes at the University of Georgia's Athens campus were canceled on Friday and will resume on Monday, the school announced.
Augusta University canceled Friday classes at its College of Nursing campus in Athens, about four miles from the University of Georgia's intramural field.
Augusta University's president released a statement Thursday mourning the student's death.
“It is with deep sadness that we share with you the news of the passing of one of our students on the Athens College of Nursing campus,” Augusta University President Brooks A. Keel said in a statement. This was stated in a letter to concerned parties.
Authorities are asking anyone with information about Riley's death to contact the UGA Police Department at 706-542-2200.
Joshua L. Jones/Online Athens/USA Today Network
Athens-Clarke County police conducted a traffic stop and search at the University of Georgia's intramural stadium in Athens on Thursday.
Campus officials said Riley's body was discovered hours after the UGA student's “sudden death” the night before.
The student was found dead in Brumby Hall, and police found “no signs of any criminal activity or foul play,” according to university police records. The incident was listed as a death investigation/suicide.
“The past 24 hours have been a traumatic time for the university,” the school said in a statement Thursday. “And as we continue to mourn that tragic loss of life, today's shocking news will uniquely test the resolve of our campus community, especially our students.”
This is a developing story and will be updated.
