Featured Image Credit: Handout / Metro Nashville PD
Topics: US News
Emily Brown
Police in Nashville have said the death of 22-year-old student Riley Strain appears to have been 'accidental'.
The Metro Nashville Police Department confirmed on 22 March that Strain's body had been recovered from the Cumberland River, approximately eight miles from downtown, after he went missing on 8 March.
Originally from Missouri, Strain had been visiting Nashville when he was kicked out of Luke Bryan's bar, Luke's 32 Bridge Food + Drink, by security at about 9.35pm local time.
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TC Restaurant Group, which oversees the bar, said in a statement to People: "During Riley’s visit to Luke’s 32 Bridge, our records show he purchased and was served one alcoholic drink and two waters.
"At 9:35 p.m., our security team made a decision based on our conduct standards to escort him from the venue through our Broadway exit at the front of our building.
"He was followed down the stairs with one member of his party. The individual with Riley did not exit and returned upstairs."
Security footage showed Strain walking through the streets after leaving the bar, at one point appearing to stumble and fall.
He was last seen on video at around 9:52pm when he spoke briefly with a police officer, though Metro Nashville PD have noted he did not appear to be in distress.
Following his disappearance, police discovered Strain's bank card along the brush line of the Cumberland River.
The day Strain's body was found, Metro Nashville PD noted there was 'no foul play-related trauma' observed on his body, but said an autopsy was pending.
The next day, the department confirmed to News 2 that Strain’s preliminary autopsy had been completed.
The department told the station that there was still no foul play-related trauma apparent on Strain's body, and that his death appeared to be 'accidental'.
Strain's family, who traveled to Nashville amid the search for the student, have thanked everyone involved in the search effort as well as those who have shown their support from afar.
His father, Ryan Gilbert, told reporters: "Riley’s captured the hearts of people across the country, and we thank everybody for their thoughts and prayers and their efforts on trying to find him."
Strain's mom, Michelle Whiteid, added: “I just ask that you mamas out there hug your babies tight tonight, please."
Michelle previously said that she told her son to 'be safe' and 'make good choices' during the last conversation she had with him.
She told him she loved him, to which he responded to say 'I love you too'.
"And that’s it, that’s the last I have heard from him," she said.