A University of Missouri student who disappeared two weeks ago after leaving a bar in downtown Nashville has been found dead in the Cumberland River. Police confirm absence of foul play..
Police: No Evidence of Foul Play in Nashville River Death
Riley Strain, who is 22 years old, was visiting the city of Tennessee for the weekend. However, he got kicked out of Luke’s 32 Bridge, which is a bar owned by country singer Luke Bryan, on March 8, according to authorities.
Strain’s friends and family haven’t been able to get in touch with him, and the police haven’t been able to find him either.
On Friday morning around 7:30 a.m., Police Chief John Drake from the Metro Nashville Police Department announced that Strain’s body was discovered by a worker in the area.
Drake said there’s no other proof indicating anything except the young man falling into the river.
The President of the University of Missouri, Mun Choi, shared on Friday that Strain’s body was found. He also mentioned that counseling and support services were available for students and staff.
“Mizzou is sad about Riley’s passing. We’re thinking of his family and giving them our support,” Choi stated.
The person in charge of examining bodies confirmed that the body belonged to Strain. Drake said they were able to identify Strain with the help of a shirt, a watch, and other things they found. The police are awaiting the autopsy results. They’ve also let Strain’s family know about what happened.
The police said they found the body in the river, about 8 miles away from downtown.
Drake said the police were going to search the area where they found the body on Friday morning.
Drake said, “Based on his size and weight, usually people in his situation come up to the surface within 14 to 20 days. Today is the 14th day, so we were expecting to find him any time now.”
Strain was last seen on March 8th at 9:52 p.m. on Gay Street after having some drinks downtown, as stated in a post by the police department on social media.
“The bartender said he gave him too much alcohol,” said Strain’s stepfather, Chris Whiteid, to a news station. “Strain was just trying to pay his bill.”
Police in Nashville said on Sunday that Strain’s bank card was discovered on a slope near Gay Street and the Cumberland River.
On Monday, the department shared a video from a police officer’s body camera showing an interaction with Strain on the night he went missing.
The video captured a quick greeting between Strain and Officer Reginald Young on Gay Street, just south of the Woodland Street bridge, according to the department.
According to a social media post, Riley didn’t seem upset. Officer Young stayed on Gay Street for 45 minutes after being called about a vehicle break-in. There’s no video evidence of Riley leaving Gay Street after 9:52 p.m.
The police showed a video of Strain wearing a two-color shirt, walking across a street at 9:47 p.m. They scoured the area both on foot and with a helicopter.
Even though Strain’s phone was turned off when the police were trying to find him, Verizon Wireless indicated that the phone was last detected close to a cell tower at 19 Oldham Street, as per a police report. Despite searching the area, the police didn’t find him.
Also Read: Princess Catherine Of Wales Discloses Cancer
State alcohol commission investigating
Last week, Bryan wrote on Instagram that he was praying for Strain to come back safely.
Luke’s 32 Bridge bar said Strain had one alcoholic drink and two glasses of water while he was there.
“At 9:38 p.m., our security team decided to ask him to leave the venue because of his behavior. They escorted him out through our Broadway exit at the front of our building. One of his friends followed him downstairs but didn’t leave the bar and went back upstairs.”
The Tennessee Alcohol and Beverage Commission is looking into the situation.
Aaron Rummage, who is in charge of making rules for businesses, said that there aren’t any specific laws for kicking out drunk customers or helping them get home safely.
“But here’s the thing: it’s against the law to give alcohol to someone who looks drunk. If you break this rule, it’s considered a serious offense, and you could get in big trouble. The TABC (Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission) is looking into this to see if anyone did break the law.”
Strain was in Nashville for a private event, according to a statement from the University of Missouri. The university said they were talking to his family and Nashville authorities.
Strain’s stepdad said the disappearance is the family’s worst fear come true.
“He usually talks to his mom three or four times a day,” he told WZTV. “It’s really abnormal for him to stay silent for this extended period.”
“He’s like my baby,” said Strain’s mother, Michelle Whiteid, to the station.
Join WhatsApp channel:Â weekly wakeup
