Riley Strain’s Family Thinks “Somebody Helped Him In The Water”

via NewsNation

The family of Riley Strain wants proof that his death was accidental

It has been nearly one month after 22-year-old Riley Strain was found deceased in the Cumberland River, and his family members are expressing doubts about the alleged story of his death. Strain’s parents sat down with Brian Entin, senior national correspondent for NewsNation, for their first interview since his discovery. They shared their concerns about the current findings of the investigation.

“If he truly fell in the water, and you can prove that to me, show me,” said stepfather Chris Whiteid. “I’ll accept it.”

What happened to Riley Strain?

On March 8th, Riley Strain was kicked out of Luke’s 32 Bridge in Nashville, Tennessee after staff members felt he had been overserved and violated their conduct standards. At the time, the University of Missouri student told his fraternity brothers that he would go back to their hotel on his own, but was never heard from again.

Security footage from local businesses and witness reports helped piece together Strain’s steps and guide the search efforts. The young man, who was a staggering 6’7″ tall, wandered through the streets of downtown Nashville towards the Cumberland River. It was near the riverbank where his cell phone was last pinged.

Today we worked to confirm as much of RILEY STRAIN’S last known path possible. We have new surveillance video, but there’s really nothing beyond the James Robertson Pky bridge & Gay St area. His bank card has not been used, and his phone last pinged at 9:58 pm, per his family. pic.twitter.com/5D0Xb9uwhR

— Kelly Avellino (@KellyAvellino) March 13, 2024

Strain’s disappearance gained national attention and his family, local volunteers, Metro Nashville Police Department, and the United Cajun Navy all worked together to search both on land and in the water.

Riley Strain’s body was found in the Cumberland River eight miles from downtown Nashville

On March 22nd, workers removing debris from the river discovered the body of Riley Strain. Police believed his death to be accidental, a result of falling down the embankment into the river and drowning.

The initial autopsy showed no signs of foul play but also revealed that there was no water in Riley’s lungs. This important detail, along with the lack of cuts or bruises on his body, led the family to believe that he may have been dead before he entered the water. As a result, a second autopsy was ordered, the results of which have not yet been released.

The family of Riley Strain believes that someone may have “helped” him into the water

In the same interview with NewsNation, it was shared that Riley texted his mother the night of his disappearance and said that his drink “didn’t taste good.” The toxicology report is still in process and will determine what else, if anything, was in his system at the time of his death.

When asked if he believes that his stepson could have accidentally fallen into the water, Whiteid responded:

“I can tell you from all the stuff that we’ve done as far as searching, looking, taking pictures — I don’t feel like it’s really possible to happen. He may have fallen. Or somebody helped him in the water.”

The investigation into the death of Riley Strain is ongoing. Watch the interview with NewsNation below.