No signs of foul play in the tragic discovery of college student Riley Strain's body in Nashville river, authorities confirm
Authorities have confirmed the tragic discovery of Riley Strain, a University of Missouri student who disappeared after leaving a Nashville bar, in the Cumberland River. The investigation revealed no evidence of foul play in this heartbreaking incident.
The body of Riley Strain, a University of Missouri student who disappeared after leaving a downtown Nashville bar two weeks ago, was discovered in the Cumberland River on Friday, according to the police. No foul play was suspected.
Riley Strain, 22, was visiting the city of Tennessee for the weekend when he was reportedly ejected from Luke’s 32 Bridge, a bar owned by country singer Luke Bryan, on March 8, as per authorities.
Strain’s friends and family had since been unable to reach him, and police searches had been unsuccessful.
Riley Strain is seen in a video released by Metro Nashville Police. CNN has highlighted a portion of this image.
Riley Strain is seen in a video released by Metro Nashville Police. CNN has highlighted a portion of this image.
Metro Nashville Police
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Police Chief John Drake of the Metro Nashville Police Department announced on Friday that Strain's body was discovered around 7:30 a.m. by a worker in the vicinity. According to Drake, there is no indication of foul play in the case, as it appears that the young man simply fell into the river.
University of Missouri President Mun Choi announced on Friday that Strain’s body had been discovered. He also mentioned that counseling and support services were accessible to students and staff in need.
Choi expressed his condolences for Riley and assured the Mizzou community that they were keeping his family in their thoughts while offering them support during this difficult time.
The body was confirmed to be that of Strain by the medical examiner’s office, according to Drake. He mentioned that the identification was made possible with the help of a shirt, a watch, and other “identifying factors”. Drake also stated that an autopsy was still pending and that Strain’s family had already been informed.
Riley Strain
Riley Strain
Metro Nashville Police Department
The body was recovered from the river about 8 miles from downtown, police said.
Drake said police had planned to search the area where the body was found Friday morning.
Drake mentioned that based on his height and weight, reports indicated that the person could have surfaced between 14 and 20 days. Today is the 14th day, so they were anticipating finding him soon.
The chief added that they were in the correct location, but unfortunately, they had not found him yet.
Strain was last seen on March 8 at 9:52 p.m. on Gay Street after a night of drinking downtown, according to a post on the police department's social media.
"The bartender mentioned that he had been given too much to drink," shared Strain's stepfather, Chris Whiteid, in an interview with CNN affiliate WZTV. "He was in the process of settling his bill."
Strain’s bank card had been found on an embankment between Gay Street and the Cumberland River, Nashville police said Sunday.
Riley Strain
Riley Strain
Metro Nashville Police Department
video
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On Monday, the department released bodycam video of an encounter Strain had with a police officer the night he disappeared.
The department said that the video displayed Strain's short conversation with Officer Reginald Young on Gay Street, south of the Woodland Street bridge.
In a social media post, it was mentioned that Riley did not seem upset. Officer Young was responding to a vehicle burglary call and stayed on that section of Gay Street for 45 minutes. The post also stated that there is no video evidence of Riley leaving Gay Street after 9:52 p.m.
Police had earlier shared a surveillance video of Strain, wearing a two-tone shirt, crossing a street at 9:47 p.m. They searched the area both on the ground and with a helicopter.
Even though Strain's cell phone was off when the police were trying to locate him, Verizon Wireless mentioned that the phone's last known location was less than a mile away from a cell tower at 19 Oldham Street, according to a police report. Despite searching the area, the police did not find any success.
State alcohol commission investigating
Bryan said in an Instagram post last week that he was praying for Strain’s safe return.
Luke’s 32 Bridge informed CNN that Strain had been given one alcoholic beverage and two glasses of water while at the bar.
According to the statement, at 9:38 p.m., the security team decided to ask him to leave based on their behavior guidelines. He was escorted out through the Broadway exit at the front of the building. Another person from his group followed him downstairs, but did not exit the bar and went back upstairs.
The Tennessee Alcohol and Beverage Commission said in a statement it is investigating.
Riley Strain
Riley Strain
Metro Nashville Police Department
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Aaron Rummage, the commission’s director of legislation, policy, and communication, mentioned that there are no specific rules or statutes that govern escorting out intoxicated patrons from businesses or providing assistance in getting someone home.
He also pointed out that while there are no specific rules for escorting out intoxicated patrons, state law does prohibit serving alcohol to someone who is visibly intoxicated. This violation is considered a class A misdemeanor. The TABC is currently investigating to determine if any violations have taken place.
Strain was in Nashville for a private event, as confirmed by the University of Missouri. They also mentioned that they were in contact with his family and local authorities in Nashville.
According to Strain's stepfather, the disappearance is a nightmare for the family.
"He told WZTV that he talks to his mom three or four times a day. He mentioned that for him to go this long without talking is not normal by any means."
"Strain's mother, Michelle Whiteid, expressed to the station that he's her baby."
This story has been updated with additional information.
Editor's P/S:
The discovery of Riley Strain's body in the Cumberland River is a heartbreaking end to a two-week search. The young man's disappearance and untimely demise have left his family and friends devastated, and the community in mourning. While the investigation into his death continues, it's important to remember the life Riley lived. He was a student at the University of Missouri, full of promise and potential. His loss is a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing the time we have with our loved ones.
The circumstances surrounding Riley Strain's disappearance and death raise important questions about safety and accountability. The investigation into the incident will hopefully shed light on what happened that night and whether there were any lapses in judgment or protocol. It's crucial that establishments serving alcohol take their responsibilities seriously and ensure that patrons are not over-served or allowed to leave the premises in an intoxicated state. Additionally, bystanders have a duty to intervene if they see someone who appears to be in need of assistance. By working together, we can create a safer environment for everyone.
