ATHENS, Ga. — University of Georgia students are returning to class Monday after classes were canceled when an Augusta University nursing student named Laken Riley was tragically killed near the campus' intramural fields in Athens. According to UGA, the 22-year-old was a former student and was with them through the Spring semester of 2023 before transferring.
And since her passing, students have been sharing their feelings following a tumultuous few days.
Freshman Sofiia Kajan took a run in Oconee Forest Park on Sunday. It's the same place where police found Riley's body.
"I feel sad but comfortable," Kajan said.
Originally, when the news broke about the homicide this past Thursday, students expressed a sentiment to 11Alive that they did not feel safe and were shaken up.
However, it appears the arrest of Jose Antonio Ibarra seems to be bringing some comfort to some. Authorities officially ruled Riley's death a homicide Friday before arresting and charging suspect Jose Antonio Ibarra, 26, with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, hindering a 911 call, and concealing the death of another person.
"It's more safer now," Kajan said. "So, it feels like nobody's wandering here killing people anymore."
Senior Josephine Cetti was another student who ran by Lake Herrick.
"I feel like campus is probably going to be the safest it's ever been at the moment," Cetti said. "That's why I feel comfortable coming here."
In general, the news of Riley's death has been causing heartbreak all across UGA, Augusta University and beyond.
"Obviously, you always know that something like this could happen in your community, but you're really never prepared for when it does happen," Cetti said.
Students and loved ones have been expressing their grief and emotions in a variety of ways. The family started a memorial for Riley at the Lake Herrick sign. Several more flowers have been adorned since. Someone even added black tape to the sign, turning the word "Lake" into the word "Laken."
Students were given a break from class on Friday, but on Monday, it's back to the Spring semester.
"I'm pretty fine to go back to classes because now it's safer, and it's more comfortable to be around people," Kajan said.
Cetti said she had friends who knew Riley and believed she would have wanted people to continue on in life.
"She went here. She was a member of the community. Obviously, she would want us to continue going about life," Cetti said.
Riley's sorority, Alpha Chi Omega, is planning a vigil on Monday at 3 p.m. Gov. Brian Kemp is expected to speak Monday evening in Athens as well.
Anyone wanting to donate to Riley's online fundraiser can do so here.