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
Mark Watson Sullivan Obituary March 21, 2026 – Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors
Evans, GA – Mr. Mark Watson Sullivan born September 28, 1960 went home to be with his loving Savior on Saturday, March 21, 2026. He was the loving husband of 47 years to Robin Miller Sullivan and the loving son of the late C.M. “Jimmie” Sullivan and Barbara Widener Sullivan. He was also the brother of the late Lynn Charles Sullivan.
A native of Augusta, Mark retired from Procter & Gamble and later founded Sul-Tac, LLC that allowed him to pursue his passion. He was a devoted husband, a caring father, and a proud grandfather, known affectionately as “Pop,” who found great joy spending time with his family. Mark was quiet by nature, but exhibited a surprisingly contagious sense of humor. He held the virtues of wisdom, patience, and gentle strength. He instilled in his family the values of faith, integrity, and compassion leaving a legacy that will continue through their lives.
A Godly man at heart, Mark’s faith was the cornerstone of his life. He lived with humility, served others selflessly, and carried a quiet strength that inspired all who knew him. He was a faithful servant of God and his life reflected his deep trust in God and his desire to walk in righteousness. Mark was a lifetime member of Warren Church, where he served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher.
In addition to his wife, Mark is survived by his children: Wes (Ashlee) Sullivan, Marshall (Caroline) Sullivan, and Callie Sullivan; his grandchildren: Tyse Kellen Sullivan, Mila Reese Sullivan, Hendrix Lee Sullivan; his sister: Gail Sullivan Hawkins and husband Gene; and his niece: Susan Hawkins Reeder and husband Chris.
The funeral service will be held Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at 11:30 A.M. in the Worship Center at Warren Church with Dr. David McKinley officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the service at the church. A private burial will follow in Westover Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Larry Lynn, Rusty Marshall, Clay Ghann, Tony Tanner, Terry Mullenix, and Keith Beckworth. Honorary pallbearers will be the Deacons at Warren Church.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mark’s memory to the Warren Life Foundation, 3203 Washington Road, Augusta, GA 30907, https://warren.church/life-foundation/.
Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com.
Augusta, GA
Augusta Fire Department holds esophageal cancer screenings
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta Fire Department partnered with Lucid Diagnostics to support firefighters’ health in relation to esophageal cancer through preventative screenings this month.
According to the Firefighter Cancer Support Network, firefighters have a 62% greater risk of developing Esophageal Adenocarcinoma.
The screenings will take place Monday-Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Locations include:
- Augusta Fire Department Station 2: 928 Telfair Street
- Augusta Fire Department Station 20: 2820 Old Highway 1
“Firefighters train to face the heat, but their greatest shield is their own health. Every workout, every check‑up, every moment invested in wellness is another promise that they’ll make it home after the call,” said Augusta Fire Department Chief Antonio Burden.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Big Middle Innings Lift Augusta Past Georgia College – Augusta University
Augusta, Ga.- Augusta scored nine runs over a four inning stretch and posted a 12-7 win over Georgia College Sunday afternoon at Jaguar field. With the win, the Jaguars not only take two of three from the Bobcats, but improve to 11-7 in Peach Belt Conference play and 15-14 overall. Georgia College is now 8-10 in the conference and 12-17 overall.
Nolan Turner, Aidan Cannaday and Jakob Cowart led the offense as each collected three hits. Turner, Cannaday and Jake Vachon each drove in a pair of runs in the game.
On the mound, Patrick Matsunaga, making his first collegiate start, went five innings. Jameson Whittier picked up the win going the last 3.1 innings.
The Jaguars scored a run in the first on a Harris Bachelder double, but the Bobcats tallied two in the top of the second.
In the fifth, AU plated three runs. Cannaday doubled home Roland Chance with the first run of the inning. An error and fielder’s choice would plate the other runs in the frame.
After the Bobcats would take a 5-4 lead in the sixth, AU put up a four spot to retake the lead, one they would not surrender. Turner would double in the first run of the inning. He would later score on an error. Kent Moon then singled home Chance with Vachon collecting a bases loaded walk to plate the final run of the inning.
Turner continues his hot hitting with a seventh inning solo home run. Chance, who pinch hit in the fifth, would walk four times and also score all four runs.
The Jaguars will head to Due West, S.C. on Tuesday to take on Erskine.
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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