Augusta University student dead at UGA with ‘visible injuries’ after going for run on campus

A female Augusta University student was found dead “in a forested area” on the campus of the University of Georgia Athens on Thursday after going for a run, according to UGA police and Augusta University.

“It is with deepest sorrow that I share with you the news that one of our students at our College of Nursing campus at Athens has passed away,” Augusta University President Brooks A. Keel said in a statement. “Police have said they suspect foul play. The receipt of this news this afternoon was shocking to all of us.”

A University of Augusta spokesperson confirmed to Fox News Digital that the student’s death occurred on UGA’s campus. 

UGA and Augusta University College of Nursing campus at Athens have canceled Friday classes, and both schools are offering counseling services for students and faculty. 

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“I want to start off by saying that this is a tragic day,” UGA Police Chief Jeffrey Clark said during a Thursday press conference. “And I want to offer my … sincerest condolences to the grieving family, friends and campus partners.”

UGA police said it received a phone call just after noon Thursday “from an individual concerned for the welfare of a friend who had gone for a run on the Intramural Fields earlier in the morning and had not returned as expected,” authorities said in a statement.

Around 12:30 p.m., authorities located the student “in a forested area behind Lake Herrick.” Police said the student had “visible injuries.”

Police said that the female was “not conscious and not breathing” when she was found.

Emergency personnel administered lifesaving measures, but she was declared dead “upon arrival,” police said.

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In a press release, the university said that “foul play is suspected.” Chief Clark said there are no suspects at this time.

“We have been fully briefed on this terrible situation. Foul play is suspected, and we are already receiving support from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Athens-Clarke County Police Department to investigate this crime,” UGA said in a Thursday afternoon news release. “We want to assure you that the safety and welfare of our campus community is our top concern.”

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Chief Clark urged the public to avoid the intramural fields at UGA’s Athens campus as police continued to investigate the alleged homicide.

The police chief said that there was not “immediate danger” on campus.

UGA noted in a news release the recent death of a student, who died by suicide in Brumbly Hall on Wednesday night. 

“The past 24 hours have been a traumatic time for our University. Our student body is grieving the sudden death of one our student in Brumby Hall last night,” the university said. “And as we continue to mourn that tragic loss of life, today’s devastating news will uniquely test the resolve of our campus community, particularly our students.”

UGA President George Moore said in a Thursday evening statement the community’s “hearts are broken.”

“In moments like these, seldom can you find words that capture the emotions of such tragic loss,” Moore said. “The past twenty-four hours have been devastating, and as we grieve, we encourage an environment of care among the student body.”

Athens-Clarke County Mayor Kelly Girtz said in a Thursday evening statement sharing his condolences and calling the death a “murder.”

“I join everyone here at the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government in deep sadness over today’s murder in our city,” Girtz said. “We promise to do everything possible to collaborate with UGA PD to bring this investigation to a rapid conclusion, and will continue to work overtime to prevent further tragedies.”

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Lake Herrick is nestled between various UGA practice fields and Oconee Forest Park. The lake is bordered by a pedestrian trail and has a recreational beach. Authorities are asking the public to avoid the area as they investigate.

UGA and Augusta University offer a “Medical Partnership” that is described as “is a four-year medical school campus of the Medical College of Georgia” in Athens.

The UGA Police Department is investigating the death with assistance from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), and the Athens Clarke-County Police Department.  Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact 706-542-2200.

 

On Friday, a UGA student was robbed at gunpoint just before 10 p.m. on the school’s campus between Church Street and Boggs Hall, according to The Red & Black, a nonprofit UGA news outlet.