Riley Strain’s tragic cause of death announced following release of autopsy report

Riley Strain’s cause of death was announced following the release of his autopsy report.

Police launched a search for Riley after he was last seen on March 8 leaving Luke’s 32 Bridge Food + Drink in downtown Nashville.

The 22-year-old University of Missouri student was visiting Nashville and went to a bar with some of his friends.

A statement from Luke Bryan’s Bar said Riley was served “one alcoholic drink and two waters” in the bar before being escorted out by security at around 9.35pm local time.

The Bar Association stated that the student was asked to leave the Bar Association because of its “standards of conduct.”

Strain told his friends he would return to the hotel where he was staying, but in an interview with WSMV, his stepfather, Chris Whiteid, said he never made it back to their accommodations.

Two weeks after he was last seen, on March 22, police confirmed the tragic news that Riley’s body had been found in a river.

“BREAKING NEWS: The body of Riley Strain was recovered this morning from the Cumberland River in West Nashville, approximately 8 miles from downtown,” the department wrote.

Riley Strain left the bar in Nashville alone. (Metropolitan Nashville Police Department)

It was further stated that there was no evidence of a crime, but an autopsy would have to be performed.

Almost three months later, the autopsy is now complete.

NewsChannel Nashville reports that Riley died of “alcohol poisoning and drowning.”

The student’s blood level was 0.228, three times the permissible limit.

The autopsy also revealed that Riley had traces of Delta 9, a form of THC that is legal and easy to obtain in the state of Tennessee.

Riley’s death was ruled an accident, according to the report.

Before his disappearance, surveillance video showed Riley apparently walking unsteadily through the streets after leaving the bar.

It seemed as if he had stumbled and even fallen at one point.

Riley was last seen on video at around 9:52 p.m. local time, speaking briefly with an officer responding to a car break-in on a sidewalk next to the Cumberland River on Gay Street.

Riley’s death was ruled an accident. (Metropolitan Nashville Police Department)

The officer asked Riley how he was, to which he replied, “I’m fine, how are you?”

News of the autopsy comes just days after his parents walked the stage at the University of Missouri and accepted Riley’s diploma from Mizzou College of Arts and Science.

Stepfather Chris thanked the entire Nashville community for their help in finding Riley.

“I can’t thank the people of Nashville enough for the support, love and encouragement they have shown me and my wife,” he said.

“It’s been an emotional rollercoaster. We are so grateful for everything you have done for our family. The grace you have shown us means so much to us, more than you will ever know.”

Photo credit: Metropolitan Nashville Police Department

Topics: US News