Augusta, GA
Students, parents rattled after nursing student found dead on UGA campus; classes canceled
ATHENS, Ga. — UPDATE 2/23/2024: A woman found dead on the University of Georgia campus after she went for a jog has been identified as 22-year-old Laken Hope Riley, according to the Athens-Clarke County coroner.
Police announced Friday night they had issued arrest warrants for 26-year-old Jose Antonio Ibarra, who is expected to be charged with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, hindering a 911 call and concealing the death of another. Hereâs the latest on the investigation.
Police suspect foul play after a woman was found dead on the campus of the University of Georgia Thursday.
Just after noon on Thursday, UGA police received a call from someone asking officers to perform a welfare check on a friend who went for a run at the intramural fields in the morning and had not returned.
Officers began searching the area and eventually found the woman dead behind Lake Herrick, which is a short distance away from the fields.
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The Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Athens-Clarke County Police are investigating this death in addition to university police.
UGA confirmed to ABC News that the victim was an undergraduate student until the spring of 2023. Augusta University confirmed the victim is a student at their College of Nursing campus in Athens. Her name has not been released.
Classes at UGA and the Augusta University College of Nursing have been canceled for tomorrow.
âWe 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,â UGA officials said.
Officials said in a news conference Thursday night that they are considering the womanâs death a crime and that they are still searching for a suspect.
âThis is a tragic day and I want to offer my most sincerest condolences to the grieving family, friends, and campus partners,â UGA Police Chief Jeff Clark said. âWe are going to leave no rock unturned during this investigation.â
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Channel 2â²s Michael Doudna was live in Athens on WSB Tonight at 11 p.m. UGA police said the investigation is still ongoing as police are still trying to identify who murdered this young woman âin broad daylight â in a popular spot.
âThere has not been a homicide in the last 20 years here on campus,â said Clark.
According to police, the nursing student went for a run in the morning. When she didnât come home, a friend called police.
âThe individual was unconscious and not breathing and had visible injuries,â said Clark.
The death rattled both students and parents.
âThat hits a little too close to home,â said Veronica Bennett.
Bennettâs daughter is a UGA junior. Sheâs part of a group of mothers pushing for security improvements she says the university has rejected, such as blue safety lights, that go beyond the UGA safety app.
âAs a parent, I get tired of that being UGAâs go-to. Oh, we have the safety app. Well, the safety app is not much of a deterrent,â said Bennett.
As for the case, police combed the scene into the night—looking for clues to try and find the person responsible.
âMy investigators will be working on this case day and night. They will be looking at every security camera we have,â
NewsChopper 2 was over the scene Thursday afternoon, where crime scene tape was strung up in the woods and officers were roaming the woods.
This is the second on-campus death at UGA in the past 24 hours. A student was found dead at Brumby Hall on Wednesday night.
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The studentâs identity and cause of death have not been released.
Anyone with information potentially related to this death is asked to contact the UGA Police Department immediately at 706-542-2200.
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Augusta, GA
Morning Show Co-Host
88.3 WAFJ in Augusta, Georgia, is looking for a Morning Show Co-Host to join our team. If you’re looking for stability, a wonderful community to call home and the opportunity to do live and local radio, you’ll find it all here. As the heritage Christian AC in the market, we have been encouraging the Central Savannah River Area for over three decades. This is a rare opportunity and one that you should inquire about if you are passionate about loving and ministering to listeners who become like family.
We need an engaging storyteller to join an existing partner on the morning show. The right candidate will know how to connect with our listeners through your faith and everyday life. This is not a voice-tracking opportunity. We are looking for someone willing to relocate and join us in actively serving our community. Great things are happening here, and we think you’ll enjoy being a part of them!
When applying for this position, you must have experience in broadcasting or podcasting. We are looking for a gifted communicator who loves Jesus and thrives in doing local ministry. If you meet those qualifications and are looking for a job that is fun, fulfilling and meaningful, then let’s chat.
To apply, send your resume, cover letter and demo to John Bryant at john@wafj.com.
We are part of the Radio Training Network family of stations. Radio Training Network, Inc. (RTN) is a religious broadcaster, and all positions at RTN are subject to a religious qualification, including all positions at WAFJ-FM and WBIJ-FM. As a religious broadcaster, RTN makes reasonable, good faith efforts to recruit applicants without regard to race, color, national origin or gender among those who are qualified for employment based on their religious belief or affiliation.
Augusta, GA
Former Richmond County deputy files complaint against district attorney
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A state bar complaint was filed against Augusta’s district attorney by a former deputy who sued the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office alleging racial discrimination.
The complaint by Quincy Cannon alleges violation of a rule requiring fairness to opposing party and counsel.
The filing says District Attorney Jared Williams selectively granted access to grand jury materials during an investigation by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council.
That’s an agency that accredits law enforcement officers in the state.
Cannon alleged Williams helped a third-party investigator get and use evidence from secret grand jury proceedings against Cannon, while denying comparable access to Cannon’s attorney.
Although Cannon’s case was presented to a grand jury, the panel chose not to pursue criminal charges.
Cannon’s lawsuit claims he was treated unequally to white deputies who were also investigated over use of force.
A suspect in a deputy shooting accused several other deputies, including Cannon, of assaulting him in an elevator at the sheriff’s headquarters.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Augusta Women Outlast Middle Georgia 53-47 – Augusta University
Cochrarn, Ga. – In what turned out to be a defensive battle, the Augusta University women knocked off Middle Georgia 53-47 in the first ever meeting between the two teams. With the victory, the Jaguars improve to 4-2 in Peach Belt Conference play and 8-4 overall. The Knights are now 3-3 in conference action and 10-3 overall.
In coach Celeste Stewart”s 100th game as head coach of AU, the Jaguars hit six free throws in the final two minutes for the winning margin.
Quinasia Abercrombie led all scorers with 17 points and four rebounds while Sierra Burns added 13 points in the winning effort.
The Jaguar defense held the Knights to just 33% shooting and out rebounded Middle Georgia by five.
The game was tied at 18 at the half before Augusta would surge to a three point lead by pouring 21 bounds in the third quarter. The fourth quarter would see both teams go back-and-forth before the Jags would grab the victory.
Midway through the final quarter, the Knights would grab a 44-43 lead, but it would not last long. A Burns three pointer would give AU the lead. Then, tied at 47, Augusta rattled off the final points from the free throw line with Elyse Autrey, Abercrombie and Burns all making their shots from the line. Autrey would finish with eight points for the game.
For the game, the Jaguars hit on 16 of 26 from the charity stripe while the Knights were just 7 of 21.
Nadiyah Byard grabbed 12 rebounds to lead AU.
The Jaguars will next be in action Wednesday night when they host Clayton State and 5:30 p.m.
Fans of Jaguar Athletics can subscribe to the email listserve by clicking here. Fans can follow Augusta University at www.augustajags.com and receive short updates on Facebook at Augusta University Athletics and on Twitter at @AugustaJags.
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