(Rightallegiance.com) – In a somber update from Nashville, Tennessee, local law enforcement confirmed the discovery of Riley Strain’s body, bringing a tragic end to the search for the University of Missouri senior who had been missing since March 8.
Strain had disappeared following an evening out in the city’s bustling downtown area. His body was found in the Cumberland River in West Nashville, approximately 8 miles from where he was last seen, on the morning of Friday. Officials have stated that an autopsy is forthcoming but initially, there appears to be no evidence of violence or foul play involved in his death.
Chief John Drake of the Metro Nashville Police Department shared details of the discovery at a press conference. “We received a call from a worker on 61st Avenue, at a company adjacent to the Cumberland River, who had been vigilant in their search for Riley Strain,” Drake explained. “Upon removing an object from the river, they discovered what seemed to be Riley Strain.” The Nashville Fire Department was promptly notified, and they retrieved Strain’s body from the water. The Medical Examiner’s office has since taken custody of the remains for further examination.
Strain, a 22-year-old finance major, was in Nashville to participate in his fraternity’s spring formal event. His last known location was at Luke Bryan’s bar, Luke’s 32, on Broadway, where he was reportedly asked to leave by the staff. Following his departure from the bar, his phone’s last known location was near Gay Street, close to the Cumberland River. Nashville police later released security footage showing Strain in what appeared to be a non-distressed state as he interacted briefly with Officer Reginald Young, who was investigating a vehicle burglary in the area. No further footage capturing Strain’s movements after this encounter has been found.
Luke’s 32 issued a statement clarifying that Strain had been served one drink before being escorted out due to a decision made by their security team, adhering to their conduct standards. They emphasized their cooperation with authorities in the ongoing investigation into Strain’s disappearance. Strain had intended to return to his accommodations at the Tempo by Hilton, a plan that went awry, leading to a missing person’s report filed by his concerned friends and family.
The circumstances surrounding how Strain ended up in the opposite direction of his hotel remain unclear. Speculations have arisen, including the possibility that he might have mistakenly entered the wrong destination into a navigation app on his phone. The police, along with Strain’s family—who promptly flew to Nashville to join the search efforts—are continuing to investigate all possibilities to piece together the events leading to his tragic end.
Strain’s family, having been notified of the recovery, now faces the heartbreaking task of coming to terms with the loss. The community and university he was part of are left to mourn the young man, remembered by many for his vibrant presence and the promising future he held. As the investigation continues, many hope for answers to the lingering questions surrounding Riley Strain’s untimely departure from a night out that ended in tragedy.