Nursing student found dead with ‘visible injuries’ at UGA

A nursing student was found dead on a neighboring Georgia campus Thursday morning after her friend told police she had not returned from a morning run, according to cops.

The unidentified woman was found unresponsive with “visible injuries” in a forested area behind a lake at the University of Georgia.

“Foul play is suspected,” the university said in a statement.

Officials did not release the identity of the victim, or their cause of death, but confirmed she did not attend UGA.

The woman was a student at Augusta University’s College of Nursing campus in Athens, located less than four miles away from where her body was found.

The woman told a friend she was going to the UGA’s Intramural Fields earlier in the morning, but had not returned, prompting the friend to call police shortly after noon.

Her body was found behind Lake Herrick, an area that is across a busy road from a large dorm and dining hall complex on what’s commonly called “East Campus.” Most of the students in those dorms are freshmen.

There is no suspect in the case, but police do not believe there is an immediate danger on campus, UGA Police Chief Jeffrey L. Clark said at a news conference.

“When you have a suspect that’s on the loose, there’s always a danger. But there’s no immediate danger at this time,” he said.

The shocking death is the second in 24 hours on the UGA campus.

Another student was found dead in a dorm room on Wednesday, which is not connected to the death of the nursing student, officials said without offering details about the first student.

“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 said in a statement.

Both UGA and the Augusta University College of Nursing canceled classes for Friday.

UGA urged students to travel in groups and to avoid the school’s Intramural Fields as the investigation continues.

If the woman’s death is ruled a homicide, it would mark the first in 20 years at UGA.