Authorities confirm the recovery of 22-year-old’s body, found eight miles downstream from last known location
Nashville, Tennessee – The search for Riley Strain, the missing 22-year-old college student, has tragically concluded after authorities recovered his body from the Cumberland River on Friday morning.
According to Metro Nashville Police Department Chief John Drake, Strain’s body was discovered still clad in the shirt he was wearing when he went missing on March 8 after being ejected from Luke’s 32 Bridge in Downtown Nashville. Police do not suspect foul play in his disappearance or his subsequent demise.
Barge operators near the river initially alerted authorities to the presence of a body. Nashville Fire Department personnel promptly responded to the scene and retrieved Strain’s body from the river. Subsequent confirmation from the medical examiner’s office verified the identity of the recovered body as Riley Strain.
The discovery follows two weeks of extensive search efforts involving air, watercraft, and ground teams, with multiple agencies and volunteers joining forces in the search operation. Despite widespread attention from national and social media, speculation surrounding the circumstances of Strain’s disappearance and death remains unfounded.
Since the onset of the investigation, law enforcement has emphasized the absence of evidence supporting claims of foul play. Numerous tips alleging foul play were received and investigated, yet none yielded viable leads, stated Sgt. Robert Nielsen.
Surveillance footage captured Strain exhibiting signs of disorientation after being escorted out of the bar. The Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission has initiated an inquiry into whether he was over-served alcohol that night. Luke’s 32 Bridge maintains that Strain was served only one alcoholic beverage and two glasses of water during his visit.
The Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission, collaborating with local law enforcement, is conducting inquiries into other establishments where Strain may have been served alcohol.
Drake confirmed that Strain’s family has been informed of the recovery of his body, bringing a sombre conclusion to the search efforts.
