Mother of Columbus State murder-suicide victim intends to sue school, state for $25M

The mother of a murder-suicide victim at Columbus State University intends to sue the school, the board of regents of the University System of Georgia, and the state for $25 million, according to a news release from a law firm representing her.

Parker and McConkie law firm, based in Salt Lake City, Utah, said in a news release it will represent Rebecca Lara, the mother of Gisele Lara, who was killed on Aug. 18, 2023 on CSU’s campus.

“Days prior to the anniversary of her daughter’s death, Rebecca Lara has served an Ante Litem Notice, signaling her intent to file a $25,000,000 wrongful death lawsuit against CSU and related governmental entities,” the law firm said in a news release.

The statement later reads:

“Gisele was killed under traumatic circumstances that have left her family, friends, and the community in deep mourning. Gisele had been the victim of sexual assault, harassment and stalking on campus, but when she reached out to the university for help, CSU failed her. Rather than properly following its own safety policies and the federal requirements of the Clery Act and Title IX to provide needed protection and safety resources, CSU notified Gisele’s murderer of the report, which led to his retaliation against Gisele.”

Attorney Brian C. Stewart, who’s representing Rebecca Lara, said in a statement that full evidence hasn’t been made public but “it will clearly show that if CSU employees had been properly trained and followed the law, Gisele would still be alive today.”

In a statement in the news release, Rebecca Lara said “CSU failed Gisele,” and that her daughter deserved better protection.

“Gisele’s story will shine a spotlight on the need for enhanced safety measures and accountability within educational institutions,” Rebecca Lara said.

In a statement Wednesday, Columbus State University said it was still mourning the Lara family’s loss.

“While the university does not comment on pending litigation, we continue to mourn the loss of Gisele Lara and respect the grief of Gisele’s family,” the university said.

A Title IX report obtained from CSU through an open records request indicated that Gisele may have been raped by her killer, Nathaniel Janik, at one point. The document was written by someone required to report the allegation.

“A former CSU student, (name redacted), told me that his partner, Gisele Lara (current CSU student) was raped by another CSU current student, Nate Janik while the two were intoxicated some months ago,” the report said. “(Redacted) said that this is why Gisele is uncomfortable around him today. (Redacted) was shaking while he was telling me this information. I did not ask questions. I told (redacted) that I am a mandatory reporter. Gisele and Nate are taking two classes together this semester: Ecology ... and Ichthyology.”

The report was filed Aug. 16, 2023, at 5:47 p.m.

Gisele Lara died less than two days later.

“This is kind of just a shock to us. Like everyday we just say we can’t believe it,” Rebecca Lara told the Ledger-Enquirer in February. “How could this happen and where did this killer come from? He just kind of came out of nowhere.”