Female student with 'visible injuries' found dead in wooded area on UGA campus after going for a run

AUGUSTA, GEORGIA: A female student from Augusta University was discovered dead "in a forested area" on the University of Georgia Athens campus on Thursday, February 22, after she went for a run. 

Augusta University President Brooks A Keel released a statement saying, "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. Police have said they suspect foul play. The receipt of this news this afternoon was shocking to all of us."

Student found dead on University of Georgia Athens campus had visible injuries

Fox News Digital received confirmation from a University of Augusta representative that the student died on campus.

February 23, classes at the UGA and Augusta University College of Nursing campuses in Athens have cancelled the classes scheduled for February 23 and both institutions are providing faculty and student counseling.

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

"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," UGA police said in a statement that they received a call shortly afterwards.

At approximately 12.30 pm, the student was discovered by authorities "in a forested area behind Lake Herrick." According to the police, the female student had "visible injuries."

The woman was "not conscious and not breathing" when she was discovered, according to the police. Although life-saving techniques were applied by emergency personnel, she was pronounced dead "upon arrival," according to the police.

UGA confirms foul play suspected in student's death

The university declared in a press release that "foul play is suspected." According to Chief Clark, there aren't any suspects right now.

"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 news release.

"We want to assure you that the safety and welfare of our campus community is our top concern," the statement read. 

While authorities continued to look into the reported homicide, Chief Clark asked the public to stay away from the intramural fields on the UGA campus in Athens. According to the police chief, there wasn't any "immediate danger" on campus.

A news release from UGA announced the death of a student who died by suicide on Wednesday, February 21, night in Brumbly Hall.

"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," the university statement read.

UGA president expresses deep sadness over tragic death of student

In a statement, George Moore, the president of UGA, said that 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 also expressed his condolences and referred to the death as 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," he added. 

Lake Herrick is nestled between Oconee Forest Park and several UGA practice fields. There is a recreational beach and a pedestrian trail that encircles the lake. While authorities conduct their investigation, the public has been asked to stay away from the area.

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.