Our worst fears have been realized.
Yesterday morning, Metro Nashville Police confirmed the body of missing Missouri student Riley Strain was found in the Cumberland River, north of downtown Nashville, two weeks after he went missing while out on Broadway with some of his fraternity buddies.
The discovery marks the tragic end of a two-week search that has involved Metro Nashville Police and Fire, the Office of Emergency Management, along with volunteers from the United Cajun Navy as well as members of the community who came out to help locate the missing college student.
Strain was last seen at Luke’s 32 Bridge, which is the bar owned by country music singer Luke Bryan, on Broadway in downtown Nashville. He was reportedly asked to leave by the security staff.
Strain was staying at the Tempo Hotel, which is located downtown, just a few blocks from Luke’s bar. However, Strain walked in the opposite direction of his hotel and wound up near James Robertson Parkway Bridge.
No signs of foul play are suspected, however it’s unclear how Strain wound up in the river.
According to Fox 17, Strain’s mom, Michelle Whiteid, released a brief, but heartbreaking statement after their 22-year-old son’s body was found in the Cumberland River.
“I just ask that you mommas out there hug your babies tight tonight, please. Please for me, hug your babies tight tonight.”
His father Ryan Gilbert thanked Metro Nashville Police Department, the United Cajun Navy, friends, family, and memebers of the community for their help with the search efforts:
“It’s just unbelievable what they’ve done for us. It’s been an emotional roller-coaster. We’re quite thankful for everything that you’ve done for our family. The grace that you’ve given us, it means a lot, more than you’ll ever know.
To the people of Nashville, I can’t thank you enough for the support, the love, the encouragement that you’ve shown myself and my wife. You don’t understand how much that meant to us in some of our darkest hours.”
RIP Riley.
