Media outlets have made public the last text message that Laken Riley sent to her mother, months after news of a 22-year-old college student in Georgia going missing went viral.

Additionally, surveillance footage of her last moments—shot just minutes before she vanished—has been made public.
Just before heading out for a jog on the University of Georgia (UGA) campus, the late nursing student sent the text at 8:55 a.m.

But she never heard from her again. Consequently, the anxious mother texted, “Please give me a call.” I’m so worried about you.

Riley’s friend called the UGA Police Department at 12:07 p.m. on February 22. Riley had not returned from her morning run at the IM Fields that same day, and the friend was worried about her.

At around 12:20 p.m., officers responded right away and started their search.

Soon after, they found Riley in the woods behind Lake Herrick.
She had obvious wounds on her body and was unconscious. Officers gave her medical attention, but when emergency medical personnel arrived, they concluded she was dead.

Some of Riley’s loved ones paid tribute to her online after learning of her passing. The sister of the deceased student, who attended the University of Georgia (UGA) until the Spring Semester of 2023 before enrolling in the Augusta University College of Nursing program in Athens, posted a heartfelt Instagram message.

“My built-in [sic] best friend and best sister from the first second.” Even though I will never be able to comprehend this, I know that you are currently in heaven with the man you loved the most. “I’m not sure how I’m going to do this, but from now on, everything will be for you,” wrote Lauren Phillips, Riley’s distraught sister.