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Riley Strain, student who disappeared in Nashville, was extremely intoxicated when he died — and other startling revelations from autopsy

The Missouri college student who went missing in downtown Nashville in March was extremely drunk and also had THC in his system when he drowned, according to a newly released medical🐠 examiner’s report.

Riley Strain, 22, ᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚhad a blood alcohol content of 0.228 on the night of March 8.

His cause of death was “drowning and ethanol intoxication,” according to the report.

Riley Strain had alcohol in his system when his body was found. AP
Surveillance footage of Strain after he went missing. FOX 17
Strain’s official cause of death was “drowning and ethanol intoxication,” according to the report. FOX 17
Strain’s body was found in Nashville’s Cumberland River. WTVF

He also had Delta 9 in his ♍system, a compound commonly found in THC.

Strain was booted from a bar, and was later caught on camera staggering down 𝔉a Nashv🐠ille street before vanishing.

Strain was about eight miles downstream in the Cumberland River.

Strain had a blood alcohol content of 0.228 and Delta 9 in his system, according to the report. Chris Whiteid via AP

Though speculation initially ran rampant that foul play had been involved in Strain’s death, the new report confirmed he died from drowning and intoxication, and was ruled ꦗaccidental.

Strain had been visiting✱ Nashville on a trip with his fraternitไy when he disappeared.

He’d been kicked out of the bar Luke’s 32 Bridge on Broadway – where 👍management said he’d been served just one drink – around 9:35 p.m.

Strain’s mother Michelle Strain Whiteid speaking at a press conference after his body was found on March 22, 2024. Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean via AP
Mourners at a vigil for Strain near the Cumberland River on March 22, 2024. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA T🔯ODAY NETWORK

He told his friends he’d mee🀅t them at their hotel about five🥀 blocks away.

His pals𝔍 called police the next morning when they failed to hear from him.

An extensive search effort uncovered a trail of pings from Strain’s cellphone, security footage retracing his final moments, and later a bankcard with his name on it that was discovered on a riverbankಌ.

A local homeless man told investigators ꦅhe’d seen a man resembling Strain “very, very intoxicated,” and almost fall over a railing into the Cumberland River.

The Te✨nnessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission is still investigating where else Strain was served alcohol on that fatal night, and whether anybody overserved him.