Nashville police find body of Riley Strain, Mizzou student who went missing on March 8

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Nashville police recovered the body of a Mizzou student missing since March 8 from the Cumberland River Friday morning.

Investigators confirmed the body as 22-year-old Riley Strain at around 7:28 a.m. The body was found wearing the shirt and watch Strain was wearing when he disappeared.

“The body of Riley Strain was recovered from the Cumberland River in West Nashville this morning, approximately 8 miles from downtown,” the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department said on X, formerly known as Twitter. “No foul play-related trauma was observed. An autopsy is pending.”

A GoFundMe campaign was created to help Strain’s family cover the cost of hotels, food, travel and now funeral services. As of Friday morning, more than $65,000 had been raised.

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Strain went missing after he was asked to leave Luke Bryan’s 32 Bridge Bar in downtown Nashville. 

Friends with Strain at the time said they lost sight of him after he was asked to leave the bar and began looking for him. Strain’s friends tried to use his Snapchat location as a reference but couldn’t find him anywhere near that location. They also attempted to call him multiple times, but the calls went to voicemail.

Bar personnel and investigators have since reviewed security footage, cellular photos and transaction records to put together a timeline of Strain’s time at the bar.

“Our records show (Strain) purchased and was served one alcoholic drink and two waters,” the bar’s statement said. “At 9:35 p.m., our security team made a decision based on our conduct standards to escort him from the venue through out Broadway exit at the front of our building.”

Security footage caught Strain on video crossing 1st Avenue North to Gay Street Concourse, the department previously said. The location is around an 8-minute walk from the bar toward the river.

Police attempted a hospital and jail check but said Strain wasn’t found there. A phone ping was also initiated, and Strain’s service provider was able to direct police to the last known location of his phone. Police didn’t find Strain there either.

This is a developing situation. This article will be updated with the latest information as it is released.

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