Riley Strain’s family thanks Nashville after Missouri student’s body found in Cumberland River

The body of missing University of Missouri student Riley Strain was discovered Friday morning in the Cumberland River in West Nashville — approximately eight miles from downtown. Foul play is not suspected.

Metro Nashville police and Nashville firefighters responded to 61st Avenue North in the Nations after a work crew spotted a body shortly before 7:30 a.m. in the Cumberland River, Police Chief John Drake said Friday morning at a news conference. Strain, 22, still had on the same shirt and watch he was wearing when he went missing, Drake said, which helped authorities identify him.

Riley Strain timeline: From missing in downtown Nashville to being found in the Cumberland River. What we know

Metro Nashville police said in a post on social media its investigators did not observe foul-play related trauma. Drake said there is "no other evidence that suggests anything other than" that Strain fell into the river accidentally.

An autopsy will likely occur Friday, Drake added.

Follow along below for more updates.

Candlelight vigil held to remember Strain

More than 50 people gathered Friday night under the James Robertson Parkway bridge on Gay Street for a candlelight vigil to remember Riley Strain near where he was last seen on March 8.

Strain was reported missing March 9. His body was recovered Friday morning from the Cumberland River.

Those gathered, many of whom had supported the search efforts, lit candles minutes after 7:30 p.m. and shared prayers for Strain’s family.

“God, we don’t understand this fully,” Spencer Maige said during an opening prayer, “… but we do know you allow love to shine through in the darkest times.”

Others spoke up to thank those who searched for Strain. Chris Dingman, a personal friend of the Strain family, said the family was appreciative of the love and support.

“I can’t emphasize how much the family appreciated this,” Dingman said.

'Hug your babies tight': Riley Strain's family thanks community

Strain's family filed into a small room at Metro Nashville Police Headquarters on Friday evening to thank the community.

"You've helped us, let us take our boy home," Ryan Gilbert, Strain's father, started.

Strain's stepfather, Chris Whiteid, then stepped up to the microphone, letting out a sigh.

"We're ready for this to be over with," he said. "To the people of Nashville, I can't thank you enough for the support, the love, the encouragement that you've shown...in some of our darkest hours. The hugs, the prayers, the offers. I can't say it enough. Thank you."

Strain's mother, Michelle Whiteid, had a simple message.

"I just ask that you mommas out there hug your babies tight tonight, please." she said. "Please for me. Hug your babies tight tonight."

Springfield, Missouri principal remembers Strain

By the time Strain received his high school diploma and made his way the University of Missouri, his former principal, Bill Powers, had known for him for several years.

Powers was the principal at Kickapoo High School and Cherokee Middle School when Riley attended both schools. He remembers Strain as a pleasant and well-liked student.

"Just an infectious smile and personality. Fun-loving kid," Powers said. "Always very positive and respectful. He was smart, took upper-level courses."

A Tennessee native familiar with Nashville's downtown area, a concerned Powers said he kept a watchful eye on Riley's situation and was heartbroken about the recent developments.

"It's devastating. We're heartbroken," Powers said, speaking for other KHS staff members who knew Strain. "As a parent and a father, my heart goes out to the parents to the family."

Kickapoo hosted a well-attended candlelight vigil for Strain on March 13, five days after he was last seen.

- Ryan Collingwood, Springfield News-Leader

Vigil for Riley Strain planned Friday

A candlelight vigil is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday on Gay Street between the Woodland Street bridge and James Robertson Parkway bridge in Nashville, a spokesperson for an organization to raise awareness for missing persons called Crime Seen Collective told The Tennessean.

"Riley's favorite color was green so some people are going to support by wearing green," the spokesperson wrote in an email.

Delta Chi fraternity: 'Our hearts go out to Riley's family and loved ones'

Delta Chi expressed sorrow following the tragic passing of Strain, an esteemed fraternity member.

"Our hearts go out to Riley's family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time as we work to provide support and resources to all those affected by this tragedy," the fraternity said in a written statement.

The fraternity's Campus Assistance Program, which provides in-person resources and professional support at the University of Missouri, is available 24/7 to members. The fraternity is also working with university officials to ensure local chapter members have direct access to campus support resources.

"We ask for respect and privacy for Riley's family and our Fraternity brothers during this incredibly difficult time," said the fraternity.

Delta Chi has 111 chapters and 127,256 members.

University of Missouri president offers support: 'heavy heart'

University of Missouri President Mun Y. Choi on Friday informed students and other members of the campus community of Strain's death in an email shortly after noon.

"I write to you with a heavy heart with the news that the search for MU student Riley Strain has ended tragically. After an exhaustive search by authorities and volunteers, Riley’s body was recovered today in Nashville, Tenn., where he had traveled to attend his fraternity’s spring formal event," Choi wrote.

Choi wrote that students in need of support can contact the MU Counseling Center and that the university's employee assistance program is available to faculty and staff.

"As the Mizzou community mourns Riley, we are keeping his family in our thoughts and offering support," Choi wrote.

GoFundMe raises thousands for Strain's family

A fundraiser on GoFundMe for Strain's family has raised more than $65,000 from more than 1,000 donations as of noon Friday. The fundraiser was created on March 13 — five days after Strain was last seen.

An update posted by the fundraiser's organizer after police located Strain's body asked people to keep Strain's family in their thoughts and prayers. Donations came in after the announcement Friday morning from members of Strain's fraternity, parents of University of Missouri students and Nashville residents.

A GoFundMe spokesperson confirmed that the fundraiser was legitimate.

'Look out for one another,' mayor says

Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell said while the city is taking steps to improve safety, he’s urging residents and visitors to be vigilant, even in celebratory spaces such as Lower Broadway.

"I think this is an important reminder to everyone to also look out for one another," O'Connell said during a Friday morning discussion. "You know, I think some of this is just about how we as a city look after each other as neighbors and as people interacting in the entertainment district.”

Council member: 'Make sure his death was not in vain'

District 19 Council member Jacob Kupin, who represents downtown, said on social media he has been working to secure the area where Strain is believed to have fallen into the river.

"My heart breaks for Riley’s family and friends," Kupin said. "Since his disappearance I have been actively working on steps to secure the river area where he likely fell. We will continue these efforts to make sure his death was not in vain."

Mayor says city will work toward safety improvements

O'Connell on Friday morning shared thoughts on social media just before 10 a.m.

"This is not the outcome that anyone hoped for – especially his parents and everyone who loved him," O'Connell wrote.

O'Connell said he had met with Strain's family earlier in the week and that "as devastating as I find this news, I can’t imagine their heartbreak."

"We will continue to work toward improvements in safety in a variety of ways," O'Connell added. "I hope people will support the family, including by respecting their privacy."

O'Connell said Friday morning the city will review the riverfront with the Nashville Department of Transportation because "some questions have been raised about infrastructure." He also pointed out other "important steps" the city has taken recently to improve safety downtown, including opening a new police substation on Broadway.

O'Connell said he does worry about how the incident reflects on Nashville’s image as a city.

“We share the goal with the Convention and Visitor's Corporation of constantly investing in the safety of the city and particularly the entertainment district because we want not just residents to be safe in their neighborhoods, whether or not they ever go to a honky tonk, but we also want visitors in the city to be safe," he said.

Family of Riley Strain notified after body found in West Nashville

Drake, Nashville's police chief, confirmed that Strain's family had been notified and expressed his condolences.

"I want to say to the family my heart and prayers go out to you all, because it is a very unfortunate and tragic incident," Drake said.

When did Riley Strain go missing in Nashville?

Strain, who went missing during a recent trip with his fraternity brothers, was last spotted March 8. At the time, he was kicked out of Luke's 32 Bridge — a Broadway bar owned by singer-songwriter Luke Bryan.

Strain's friends notified police the next day when he did not return to their hotel from the night out.

After leaving the bar, video surveillance located Strain several times around downtown. Metro Nashville Police released video of him crossing 1st Avenue North to Gay Street, which runs along the Cumberland River.

He then interacted with an officer, which was captured on a body worn camera. The officer was on Gay Street, responding to a report of burglary, when Strain walked past him, exchanging pleasantries.

Dangers of the Cumberland River: How water depth, current and temperature impact people

On Tuesday, Strain's parents welcomed in-person support from the United Cajun Navy, a search and rescue group which largely assists in natural disasters, but also missing persons cases.

Other missing adults and children in Tennessee

Tennessee authorities say they remain committed to finding other missing people, such as Sebastian Wayne Drake Rogers, the 15-year-old Hendersonville boy who disappeared from his Sumner County home on Feb. 26. He was last seen near Stafford Court in Hendersonville. Since then, leads have remained sparse.

According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, a missing person is someone whose whereabouts is unknown to a parent, caretaker or others who have normal contact with the person. A missing person can be a child who has left home on their own, anyone who has been involuntarily abducted, or any individual who cannot return to safety without assistance.

Active missing child alerts include Hollynn Snapp and Layla Santanello, who have both been missing since 2023. The people listed on TBI's site do not represent all missing persons in the state, anyone with information on missing people in Tennessee is encouraged to call 1-800-TBI-FIND or email [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville police find body of Missouri student Riley Strain