How sad...sympathies to her friends, family, and DG sisters.

Article from Auburn's student newspaper
 

Freshman Female Killed, Burning Car Found on Campus
By Katie Noland / Copy Editor Lauren Burk Lauren Burk, an 18-year-old freshman in pre- graphic design from Marietta, Ga., was found Tuesday night at approximately 9:08 p.m. with a single gunshot wound, The Plainsman was first to report Wednesday. The Auburn Police Department confirmed at 4:10 p.m. there have been no other shootings or deaths on campus.

Burk’s body was found north of the Auburn University campus on U.S. Highway 147. The Lee County Sheriff’s office was investigating a location 4.9 miles north of Auburn’s campus.

The Plainsman was first to confirm that at approximately 9:27 p.m. Tuesday, Auburn police responded to a vehicle fire at Hinton Field RH-Zone parking lot behind the Hill residence halls.

The 2001 black Honda Civic that was engulfed in flames was registered to Burk, but no one was in the car.

After the discovery of her body, Burk was transported to East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika where she was pronounced dead.

Lee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating what they are calling an “unnatural death,” along with the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences, the Auburn Police Department and the Lee County District Attorney’s Office.

Auburn President Jay Gouge, who was out of town Wednesday, released a statement saying, “We are so saddened by this situation, words simply aren’t adequate. This is a close-knit community that rarely experiences such a tragedy. Our heartfelt prayers and thoughts go out to those in Lauren’s community in Marietta, her friends in Auburn and especially her family.”

Confusion and shock spread throughout campus quickly Wednesday morning.

“I want to know what caused it, because obviously she was targeted,” said Jeni Young, a freshman in special education.

An e-mail was sent to all Auburn students at 12:03 p.m. regarding Burk’s death.

“I was surprised we didn’t get an e-mail earlier,” said Megan Kuenzli, a freshman in elementary education.

Burk was a member of Delta Gamma sorority, which released a statement on the Auburn University Web site Wednesday afternoon concerning Burk’s death.

“Considering the unexpected and disturbing nature of the situation, the women of Delta Gamma have reacted with immense concern. Delta Gamma Fraternity will partner with the University to support the chapter as they come to terms with the loss of their sister and friend. Delta Gammas across the country offer hope and friendship to Lauren’s family and all who have been affected by this tragedy.”

The Auburn Police Department, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the Alabama Forensic Sciences Department are investigating the shooting and looking for the killer or killers.

“I have given any assistance I can to this investigation, and hopefully this will soon come to a conclusion and then we will begin the prosecution,” said District Attorney Nick Abbet.

A vigil will be held tonight at 5 p.m. in the C-Zone behind the Hill residence Halls.

How awful for her family, friends, and sisters. :(

When a violent crime happens to a student off campus, but partly on campus ( the burning car) I do believe that constitutes enough to activate the emergency notification system. My daughter and myself received our emails closer to 1:00 pm the following day. The speculation is that Lauren was abducted either on campus when leaving her boyfriends dorm, or off campus while leaving her dorm. Her dorm is a private dorm adjacent to campus. To call it 'off campus' is merely a technicality since it is closer to the library and classes than the on-campus dorms. This is all speculation based on what little has been released. However, a killer was on the loose and possible on campus. Students should have been notified by the ENS system that is in place for just such an occassion.

I saw on Fox news there will be a press conference this afternoon. I'm not familiar with all the depts at AU but I hope they have a good Police Forensic Dept that can utilize their professors knowledge. The Governor was just on TV but really didn't say anything other than about the reward so the lid is tight on info.

My thoughts and prayers are with Lauren's family and the Auburn family in this troubled time.

Arrest has been made
 

By STAFF REPORTS
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Published on: 03/07/08

WSB-TV reported there has been an arrest in connection with Auburn freshman Lauren Burk, of Marietta. The arrest was reportedly made in Phenix City, Ala. after a high-speed chase. WSB did not identify the man who was arrested, but reported that a Phenix City investigator said that the man was found with evidence that could link him to the Burk case.

Phenix City police wouldn't immediately confirm the report.

Phenix City police officials could not be immediately reached to confirm the report.

A Burk family spokeswoman Kathy Singleton said the family had not been notified of an arrest in Phenix City, but had heard the news through media reports Friday evening.

I hope they FRY whoever did this.

We'll know tomorrow...
 

Police will not release the suspect's name tonight (they're tying up loose ends in the case ie. they're filling out paperwork so they can formally charge the bastard). There will be a press conference in the morning.

Apparently, they found the guy because he robbed an elderly woman in Phenix, AL and they were tracking him down. When they found him, they found evidence linking him to Lauren in his car.

Thankfully this person is off the streets. It sounds as though he was working himself up into one major crime spree.

My deepest sympathies to Lauren Burk's Mother and Father as well as her entire family and to her friends and Delta Gamma sisters.

Does anyone know yet if the two murders (this one and the one at UNC-CH) were actually linked?

There was a post in the News/Politics forum that it's possible they may be linked since both the girls were prominent figures at their school, and they lived 5 miles apart several years ago?

This is so sad to hear about.

But, this same person may be if interest in a Coed killed from NC Un.

Agree, I hope they fry this person if he was the one responsible.!

While similar in crime, the logistics may have been difficult, according to one law enforcement agent that was interviewed on TV.

Lauren's murder was Tuesday at 9pm. Eve's was Wed morn at 5am (remember, we didn't learn of it until Thursday, but that is because it took a full day to ID.)

Therefore, the crimes were only 8ish hours apart, and the girls lived 500 miles from each other. Possible, yes. But difficult.

Also there was a report today that there may be video footage from an ATM machine of Eve's murderer trying to use her cards. Hopefully that will help investigators.

It just sickens me that thugs can just zap life out of women with such potential, and leave so many friends, family and colleagues heartbroken.

I am truly sadden by the news of this. When I saw a number of pictures of Lauren on the news I thought she was in a sorority by the type of clothing. For example she was wearing white dresses with a bunch of girls in one, so I figured bid day or another event. My heart goes out to her DG sisters, I can't even imagine how horrible this must be!