TL/DR –
University of Missouri student Riley Strain, who went missing after leaving a downtown Nashville bar, was found dead in the Cumberland River with no signs of foul play recorded. The 22-year-old was last seen alive at Luke Bryan’s bar, Luke’s 32 Bridge, on March 8th and was found two weeks later. The Tennessee Alcohol and Beverage Commission is investigating the case, given Strain was reportedly overserved at the bar and then escorted out.
Missouri University Student Found Dead in Nashville River
The body of Riley Strain, a 22-year-old student at the University of Missouri, was found in the Cumberland River two weeks after he disappeared in downtown Nashville, according to local police. There were no indications of foul play.
Strain had been visiting the city for a weekend trip and was last seen at country singer Luke Bryan’s bar, Luke’s 32 Bridge, on the 8th of March. After his ejection from the bar, his friends and family were unable to make contact, prompting a police search.
Strain’s body was spotted by a local worker around 7:30 a.m. Metro Nashville Police Department Police Chief John Drake suggested that Strain likely fell into the river, and no other evidence has surfaced to contradict this. Identified by his shirt, a watch and other factors, Strain’s family has been notified and an autopsy is pending.
The body was retrieved around 8 miles from downtown Nashville. Police had planned to search the area on the Friday morning that the body was found. According to Drake, given Strain’s height and weight, his body was expected to surface between 14 to 20 days after his disappearance.
The last sighting of Strain was on Gay Street after a night out downtown, as reported in a police social media post. Strain’s stepfather, Chris Whiteid, quoted the bartender saying Strain had been overserved.
Strain’s bank card was later found on an embankment between Gay Street and the Cumberland River, according to a Nashville police statement. Police also released bodycam footage of Strain’s interaction with a police officer on the night he disappeared. The footage showed no signs of distress.
Despite extensive ground and air searches in the area, Strain remained missing. His cellphone was off and its last known location, according to Verizon Wireless, was less than a mile from a cell tower situated at 19 Oldham Street. Police searched the area, but to no avail.
In response to Strain’s disappearance, Bryan expressed his prayers for Strain’s safe return on Instagram. Luke’s 32 Bridge stated that Strain was served one alcoholic drink and two glasses of water during his time at the bar.
The Tennessee Alcohol and Beverage Commission is investigating the case. There are no specific rules governing the escort of intoxicated patrons from establishments, but serving alcohol to visibly intoxicated individuals is a class A misdemeanor.
The University of Missouri confirmed that Strain was in Nashville attending a private event. University officials have been in contact with Strain’s family and Nashville authorities.
The sudden disappearance and subsequent death of Strain, described as a family’s worst nightmare, has left his family and friends in shock. His stepfather emphasized that Strain’s prolonged silence was abnormal for him, as he usually spoke to his mother multiple times a day.
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