Missing Riley Strain Has Been Found Dead after 2 Weeks of Searching

After an exhaustive search spanning nearly a fortnight, officials have discovered the body of Riley Strain, the missing Missouri student, in the Cumberland River.

Authorities were alerted to a body found in the river in the Nations neighborhood of West Nashville on the morning of Friday, March 22. Subsequent investigation by the Metro Nashville Police Department confirmed the identity of the missing 22-year-old.

Police were able to establish the identity of the body through various means, including examination of his clothing and watch. Notably, officials stated that no evidence of “foul play-related trauma was observed.” An autopsy is still pending. This tragic development has dashed any remaining hope of Riley’s survival for his family.

As we previously reported:

Over a week after Riley Strain disappeared in Nashville, his family has been shown a pivotal piece of evidence in the search for the missing college student. On Sunday night, Nashville police shared a previously unreleased video with Strain’s family, capturing him walking towards a bridge.

“It was the last known video of Riley,” his stepfather, Chris Whiteid, shared. The footage offered a glimmer of hope for the family, providing some insight into Strain’s last known whereabouts. Whiteid expressed, “It was good to see him.” However, the video also deepened the mystery of Strain’s path that evening, leaving his current location still unknown.

The search continues as Whiteid stated, “We’re looking for that next nugget right now, just trying to find that so we can move forward.” The community and law enforcement remain united in their efforts to uncover any leads that could bring Riley home. A nearby dam was also recently locked so that they could search for any clues regarding Strain. Although there was nothing found, it may still have a positive effect in the search for the young man.

As previously reported on March 21, 2023:

Riley Ray Strain, a 22-year-old University of Missouri student, vanished over a week ago after an evening out with friends in Nashville. The disappearance has sparked a massive search operation, gripping the city and Strain’s hometown.

His heartbroken mother, Michelle Whiteid, has now made a public plea as the search intensifies, with the only clue being his bank card found near a river bank. The mystery deepened after the release of a baffling message from Strain’s phone sent on the night he disappeared.

March 8: The Night of the Disappearance

On the night of March 8, Strain, a senior from the University of Missouri, disappeared after an evening out in Nashville. Known for his dynamic presence and standing at 6-foot-5, had visited Luke Bryan’s bar, Luke’s 32 Bridge, located on Nashville’s vibrant Broadway.

The evening took a turn at approximately 9:35 p.m., when Strain was escorted out of the bar by the establishment’s security, managed by the TC Restaurant Group, due to unspecified violations of conduct standards.