Who Was University of Georgia Victim Laken Hope Riley? Everything to know about the missing nursing student found dead after the run suspected of ‘full play’

Laken Hope Riley was found dead on the University of Georgia intramural fields on February 22 around 12:30 in the afternoon.

The 22-year-old nursing student’s body was found after her roommate reported her missing, saying Riley had not returned home from her run.

“The individual was unconscious and not breathing and had visible injuries,” said UGA Police Chief Jeffrey L. Clark.

Officials confirmed Friday that the Augusta University attendee died by homicide, marking the first homicide to occur on the UGA campus in 41 years.

A UGA spokesperson told DailyMail.com that the school’s police force has identified a person of interest who is being questioned. The man has not yet been identified.

Who Was Laken Hope Riley?

Riley was a senior nursing student enrolled at Augusta University College of Nursing in Athens who grew up in Woodstock, Georgia.

Before earning her bachelor’s degree at UGA in 2023, she graduated from River Ridge High School in 2020.

Riley was a member of his high school’s cross country and track teams and was described as ‘an outstanding scholar athlete’ by Cherokee County School District Superintendent Brian Hightower.

She was also a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority.

What do we know about her death?

Riley was pronounced dead at the scene after police found her in an area behind Lake Herrick.

The area is across a busy road from UGA’s East Campus, which includes a large dormitory and dining hall complex.

Although a man has been taken in for questioning, no formal arrest has been made.

“We want to emphasize that this remains an active, ongoing investigation, and we will provide additional updates as circumstances warrant,” UGA officials said in a statement.

According to Clark, police officers will ‘leave no stone unturned in this investigation.’

‘When you have a suspect who is at large, there is always a danger. But there is no immediate danger at this time,” he added.

Does Laken Hope Riley have any surviving family?

Riley appeared to be close to her family members, who have posted numerous photos and videos of her over the years on social media, sharing her great successes.

Riley’s mother, Allyson Phillips, shared pictures and a video by Riley during the Augusta University Nursing Program White Coat Ceremony on Facebook in August 2023.

‘Today was a proud mommy moment! We celebrated Laken starting nursing school at her white coat ceremony,’ she wrote.

‘This girl works harder than anyone I’ve ever met! I’m just so proud and I can’t wait to see what God has planned for her.’

How has the UGA community responded since her death?

Hightower provided a written statement to Atlanta Journal-Constitution after the news of Riley’s death.

‘Laken inspired classmates and teachers with his love of learning and his kindness to all. We ask the community to keep her family in their hearts.’

The University of Georgia also released a statement on their website yesterday.

‘We have been fully briefed on this terrible situation. Foul play is suspected and we are already receiving assistance from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Athens-Clarke County Police Department to investigate this crime,” it said.

The school also urged anyone with information related to the incident to ‘contact the UGA Police Department immediately.’

“We also recommend that you travel in groups whenever possible and be aware of your surroundings,” UGA officials added.

The school canceled all its classes that started at 5:30 on February 22 and resumes on Monday.