Preliminary autopsy finds Riley Strain’s death ‘accidental’ with no foul play suspected
University of Missouri student Riley Strain’s death was “accidental,” according to a preliminary autopsy after tꦜhe body of theಌ 22-year-old was discovered in a Nashville river.
Toxicology results and a final a💖utopsy report are still pending, but there is no apparent foul play, Metropolitan Nashville police spokesperson Kris Mumford.
A “detective attended the autopsy examination” — and the death “continues to appear accidental,” Mumfordsaid.
Strain, who went missing earlier this month after being kicked෴ out of a Nashville bar on a trip with fraternity brothers, was found dead Friday in the Cumberland River in West Nashville.
“I just ask that you mommas out😼 there hug your babies tight tonight, please,” Riley’s mother, Michelle Whiteid, told 🐟reporters. “Please for me, hug your babies tight tonight.”
The student was visiting Music City with his Delta Chi fraternity brothers🦩 when he vanished after leaving country star Luke Bryan’s honky-tonk bar, Luke’s 32 Bridge, on March 8.
His family initially suggested he had been overserved, but the bar’s operators said he had only consumed one alcoholic beverage and two drinks of water at the watering hole.
What to know about the mysterious disappearance and death of Riley Strain
- College student Riley Strain, 22, went missing after being kicked out of Luke’s 32 Bridge Food + Drink in Nashville on March 8, 2024. Strain told his University of Missouri fraternity brothers that he was going back to his hotel room, but never arrived or contacted his friends.
- Surveillance footage shows him walking toward the hotel before making a wrong turn. His cellphone last pinged about a mile from the bar. A video saw Strain jogging away from his hotel before his disappearance.
- According to the Luke Bryan-owned bar, Strain only purchased one alcoholic drink and two waters the night he went missing. The 22-year-old’s parents have claimed he was “overserved.”
- The student’s bank card was found days later on an embankment of the Cumberland River by two TikTokkers searching the area.
- A local homeless man allegedly saw a “very, very intoxicated” Strain almost fall over the edge of a trail into the river. Strain was also spotted by a police officer near the river, according to body camera footage.
- Strain’s body was found in the river on Saturday by workers clearing the river of debris. According to a preliminary autopsy, Strain’s death was “accidental.”
The bar shared t☂hat security decided to kick Strain from the nightspot based on its “conduct standards” due to his behavior.
Strain was apparently captured on video crossing Gay Street after leaving the bar — about a 17-minute walk fro🧸m Luke’s 32 Bridge, police said.
A homeless man claimed he saw a “very, very intoxicated” Strain&n✃bsp;almost fall over the edge of a trail into the river.
Strain’s fraternity spoke glowingly of their dep𝓡arted brother.
“The Delt🍷a Chi Fraternity is deeply saddened by the tragic passing of our esteemed fraternity brother, Riley Strain,” it told The Post in a statement.
“Our hearts go out to Riley’s family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time as we work to provide support and resources to all those affected by this tragedy.”
