ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Authorities are investigating a woman’s death on the University of Georgia’s campus after she didn’t return from a morning run, the school announced Thursday afternoon.
Augusta University confirmed the victim was a student at the College of Nursing campus in Athens.
UGA police said they received a call just after noon from a person who was concerned for their friend, who had not come back from a run at the intramural fields. About 20 minutes later, police found the person in a forested area behind Lake Herrick with “visible injuries.” Officers tried to give emergency aid, but the person was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Me and my roommate, like pretty much everyone I know, we park over there. Me and my boyfriend go on runs over there all the time,” said UGA student Izzy Whitesides.
“It’s really beautiful and peaceful and now I feel like it’s tainted. It’s like scary a little bit,” said UGA student Alena Wiggins.
The school said in a letter to students that “foul play is suspected,” adding that the “safety and welfare of our campus community is our top concern.”
“The fact that the person hasn’t been caught yet is really scary. like hence why I had somebody come walk me back to my car. Yeah, it’s just scary that it’s probably of malicious intent,” said Whitesides.
At a Thursday night press conference, UGA police did not release the woman’s identity.
UGA Police Chief Jeffery Clark said the woman was not a UGA student. Clark said he is urging the public to avoid the general area where the body was found while police investigate.
Clark said there is not a suspect but police are “actively investigating the case.”
“There is no immediate danger at this time,” Clark said. “My investigators will be working this case day and night, and they will be looking at every camera that we have.”
“This is a tragic day,” Clark said.
All classes at UGA have been canceled until Monday. The Augusta University College of Nursing canceled classes on Friday.
UGA is asking the community to stay away from the area while campus police, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Athens-Clarke County Police Department investigate.
The school also mentioned a second death on the campus just hours earlier. A student died Wednesday night in Brumby Hall, they said, calling this a “traumatic time for our University.”
“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,” they wrote. The university did not say how the student died.
Clark said at the Thursday press conference that the two deaths are not connected.
Police ask anyone with information about the incident to call the UGA Police Department at (706) 542-2200.
The University of Georgia offers 24/7 mental health crisis support to all students. They should call 706-542-2273 to speak with someone.