Riley Strain updates: Preliminary autopsy suggests student’s death was ‘accidental’
The missing student’s body was recovered from the Cumberland River on Friday
A preliminary autopsy has been completed on student Riley Strain’s body after he was recovered from Nashville, Tennessee’s Cumberland River this week.
The initial autopsy results suggest an accidental death, as there were no signs of foul play, police told WKRN. Authorities recovered his body Friday around eight miles from the downtown area where he was last seen.
Now, his family is thanking the Nashville community.
“I want to reiterate how thankful we are for everyone and how much we appreciate everyone’s support, love and prayers,” Strain’s mother, Michelle Whiteid, said.
“We are quite thankful for everything you’ve done — the grace you’ve given us,” Chris Whiteid, Strain’s stepfather, said.
The 22-year-old University of Missouri student was partying with his fraternity in Nashville on 8 March when he was kicked out of a bar around 10pm. Strain’s bank card was found a week later near the river.
The discovery came after Mr Whiteid and family friend Chris Dingman told NewsNation police had shown them footage of what was believed to be Strain’s last known movements.
In the video, Strain was seen jogging close to the river, away from the direction of his hotel, they said.
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Cumberland River current was ‘very swift’ on the day Riley Strain disappeared, Cajun Navy director says
David Flagg, the director of the United Cajun Navy, a disaster relief and search and rescue group volunteering in the search for Riley Strain, told local reporters that the Cumberland River’s current was moving quickly on the day the student disappeared.
“Somehow, Riley may have fallen into the river and was swept away by the current,” Mr Flagg told WTVF. “The current was very, very swift on the day that he disappeared.”
Police searched Cheatham Dam yesterday for any sign of Mr Strain, but did not find any evidence of the student.
Police and volunteers are searching near Ashland City for Riley Strain. Ashland City is approximately 40 miles down river from where he was last seen on surveillance video on 8 March.
The Cheatham County Emergency Management Agency told local broadcaster WSMV4 that crews using boats were searching near Riverbluff Park in Ashland City’s portion of the Cumberland River for Mr Strain.
The Ashland City Fire Department has deployed three boats to search the area.
United Cajun Navy calls for fuel donations to keep airboat operating in search for Riley Strain
The United Cajun Navy, a disaster relief and search-and-rescue volunteer group, asked for help sourcing gasoline today to keep one of its airboats operating on the Cumberland River in Nashville.
Volunteers have been assisting with the police search for missing University of Missouri student Riley Strain.
The organisation eventually managed to source enough fuel to keep searching the river. Mr Strain is still missing nearly two weeks after he disappeared in downtown Nashville.
Riley Strain seen in video footage approaching river bridge as witnesses reveal they saw him being sick
New surveillance footage containing images of missing University of Missouri student Riley Strain on the night of his disappearance in Nashville has been found, according to family friend Chris Dingman.
Chris Whiteid, Mr Strain’s stepfather, said the new footage shows the student walking toward the James Robertson Parkway bridge, which spans the Cumberland River. He revealed the details to NewsNation.
The bridge is in the opposite direction of Mr Strain’s hotel. It is unclear why he was walking in that direction.
READ MORE:
New surveillance footage showed Riley Strain near Nashville bridge, family says
Strain family spokesman details new surveillance footage that showed Riley Strain near Nashville bridge
Chris Dingman, a friend and spokesman for the Strain family, detailed new footage obtained by police showing Riley Strain walking near a bridge in Nashville that spans the Cumberland River.
He gave a short interview to Burton Staggs of Tennessee River Valley News.
WATCH: Riley Strain interacted with couple on night he went missing, family friend says
Missing Riley Strain’s stepfather says family is having difficult conversations: ‘Put yourself in our shoes’
Riley Strain’s family told reporters that they’ve begun having hard conversations about the possible fate of the missing University of Missouri student.
It has been nearly two weeks since Mr Strain disappeared from Luke Bryan’s 32 Bridge bar in Nashville. He has not been heard from since. There have been no known sightings, no phone calls, and no cries for help.
Christ Whiteid, Mr Strain’s stepfather, said he and the rest of the family are aware that, at present, the chances that the 22-year-old will be found alive are slim.
READ MORE:
Riley Strain’s stepfather says family is having hard conversations
New surveillance footage shows Riley Strain approaching a bridge
Riley Strain was reportedly caught in surveillance footage approaching the James Robertson Parkway bridge on the night of his disappearance.
The bridge crosses over the Cumberland River, where police crews have been searching for any sign of Mr Strain.
It is unclear why Mr Strain was walking toward the bridge on the night he disappeared. His hotel was in the opposite direction.
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