Student found dead in river two weeks after disappearing on night out

A student who went missing after a being kicked out of a bar on a night out has been found dead in a river two weeks later.

Riley Strain’s body was recovered from the Cumberland River in Nashville, Tennesee, in the US, eight miles west of the city centre, police said.

He was discovered by workers who alerted authorities. Medical examiners later confirmed it was Riley.

The 22-year-old University of Missouri student was last seen around 10pm on March 8 getting kicked out of Luke Bryan’s 32 Food + Bridge on Broadway.

A bartender said Riley ‘had been overserved’, according to his stepfather, Christopher Whiteid.

Riley told his friends he was going back to his hotel, but CCTV footage suggests he went the wrong way.

Police do not believe there was foul play involved.

Police Chief John Drake told reporters: ‘We have reports that normally under these circumstances… with his height and weight, he could have surfaced between 14 and 20 days.

‘This is the 14th day. So we were really expecting to find him.’

An autopsy will be performed today, he said.

A massive search was launched for Riley after he failed to return to his hotel and his friends were unable to get in contact with him.

Investigators found his bank card along a riverbank and used surveillance footage to track his final moments.

University of Missouri officials said in a statement that Riley was in Nashville to attend a private event, reportedly with his fraternity house.

Riley’s family thanked everyone for their help and support.

Through tears, his mum Michelle Whiteid told reporters: ‘Please, for me, just hug your babies tight tonight. And again, thank you. Thank you for sharing our story.’

Police Chief Drake said that his ‘heart and prayers’ were going to Riley’s family ‘for this very unfortunate and tragic accident’.

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