Preliminary results show Strain’s death was ‘accidental’
Missouri college student Riley Strain’s death appears to be “accidental,” Metro Nashville Police Department told The Tennessean.
Toxicology results are still pending, but there is no apparent foul play, MNPD spokesperson Kris Mumford said.
A final autopsy won’t be complete until all testing is finished.
Strain’s body was dis- covered early Friday morning about 8 miles from where he was last seen in downtown Nashville following a two-week search for the missing 22-year-old. Police said his body was pulled from the Cumberland River in west Nashville, a major waterway that weaves through downtown Nashville and eventually flows back north into Kentucky.
Strain went missing after being kicked out of Luke’s 32 Bridge Food and Drink Nashville’s Lower Broadway while vacationing with fraternity brothers. He attended the University of Missouri and was a member of the Delta Chi fraternity.
Before his disappearance, he was seen on surveillance footage walking around the downtown area, sometimes stumbling.
He had a friendly exchange with a police officer near 1st Avenue North and Gay Street. His bank card was discovered near the Cumberland River on March 17, five days before his remains were recovered.
Nashville holds candlelight vigil honoring Riley Strain
About 50 people gathered for a candlelight vigil memorializing Strain on March 22, the same day his body was found in the Cumberland River.
Strain’s parents told reporters at a Friday news conference they were grateful for the community’s help to find their son.
“I just ask that you mommas out there hug your babies tight tonight, please,” his mother, Michelle Whiteid, said. “Please for me. Hug your babies tight tonight.”