Student found dead on Ga. campus

ATHENS, Georgia (WJW) – Law enforcement is searching for suspects in the death of a nursing student whose body was found on the University of Georgia campus Thursday.

A friend of the student had called police when she failed to return from a run near the University of Georgia Intramural Fields, where her body was ultimately found.

“The individual was unconscious and not breathing and had visible injuries,” University of Georgia Police Chief Jeffrey L. Clark said Thursday night.

The woman’s name has not been released. She has been identified as an Augusta University nursing student. Augusta University has an Athens campus, as does the University of Georgia.

“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 letter to students. “We want to assure you that the safety and welfare of our campus community is our top concern.”

UGA canceled all classes scheduled for Friday. Augusta University canceled classes at its Athens campus, but will remain open as a gathering place for students, faculty and staff.

Officials are also advising students to avoid the wooded area where the body was found, and to travel in groups. Clark said Thursday, however, that students and faculty were not in any “immediate” danger.

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

Police at UGA, along with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Athens-Clarke County Police Department, were conducting the investigation, Clark said. He noted that there has not been a homicide on campus in the last 20 years.

Police had no suspects as of Thursday night, he added.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.