The body of college student Riley Strain, who disappeared March 8, has been recovered from the Cumberland River near Nashville.
The University of Missouri student’s body was recovered about eight miles from downtown Nashville, where video had last placed him before he was reported missing after a night on the town with his fraternity.
Police Chief John Drake said the body was found around 7:30 a.m. Friday, according to The Tennesseean.
Strain was wearing the shirt he was seen in in videos taken on the day of his disappearance.
“This is not the outcome anyone hoped for, especially his parents and all who loved him,” Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell wrote in a statement. posted on X.
This morning we learned the sad news that crews have located the body we believe is missing from Missouri student Riley Strain. The discovery was made near 61st Avenue N in the river. This is not the outcome anyone hoped for, especially her parents and all those who loved him. https://t.co/U1z1mKCJGt
— Freddie O’Connell (@freddieoconnell) March 22, 2024
Drake said barge operators working to remove an object from the river spotted Strain’s body, according to WSMV-TV.
“They noticed what appeared to be Riley Strain,” Drake said. “The medical examiner’s office has examined the body and we have confirmed it to be Riley Strain.”
According to NBC, police expected that if Strain fell into the river, it would be 14 to 20 days before his body would surface.
Rest in peace, Riley Strain.
Sending prayers for Riley’s family and friends. pic.twitter.com/jFeA70mzXc
— JB Biunno #HeyJB (@WFLAJB) March 22, 2024
“This is day 14, so we really expected to find it early,” Drake said.
Strain’s disappearance has been at the center of social media speculation that intensified after a TikToker found Strain’s bank card along the banks of the river, according to WSMV.
However, Drake said there is “no other evidence to suggest anything other than” that Strain fell into the river by accident.
Riley’s brief exchange of greetings with Officer Reginald Young on Gay St., south of the Woodland St. Bridge, on the night of 8/3 was shown. Riley didn’t seem distressed. Officer Young was there on a burglary call and remained on that part of Gay St. for 45 minutes. pic.twitter.com/z0xeEzeieK
— Nashville Police (@MNPDNashville) March 18, 2024
On the night he disappeared, Strain, 22, was kicked out of Luke’s 32 Bridge, owned by singer-songwriter Luke Bryan.
The bar later said in a statement that Strain had two waters and an alcoholic drink there before he was removed, according to NBC.
This article originally appeared in The Western Journal.