Riley Strain's tragic disappearance in downtown Nashville took a harrowing turn as surveillance footage revealed his last known movements before he vanished.
On March 8, 2024, 22-year-old Missouri college student Riley Strain embarked on a fraternity outing in downtown Nashville. As the night unfolded, he was captured on surveillance footage visiting a series of popular celebrity bars, including Miranda Lambert's Casa Rosa and Garth Brooks' Friends in Low Places Bar & Honky Tonk.
Strain's body was later discovered in the Cumberland River, casting a somber shadow over his ill-fated night out. A toxicology report attributed his death to drowning and ethanol intoxication, while the chief Tennessee medical examiner ruled his death accidental.
Surveillance Video Sheds Light on Night Mizzou Student Riley Strain Disappeared
Amidst the ongoing investigation, the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) conducted a comprehensive probe to determine whether Strain was served alcohol while visibly intoxicated. The findings, released this week, cleared the bars involved of any wrongdoing.
According to the TABC report, "While the circumstances of Mr. Strain's death are tragic, the TABC investigation did not result in any concrete evidence...of a violation."
Surveillance Video Sheds Light on Night Mizzou Student Riley Strain Disappeared
Over the course of the evening, Strain consumed at least seven alcoholic beverages, beginning with a margarita around 4:30 PM. Surveillance footage shows him visiting four bars, including Luke Bryan's 32 Bridge Bar.
Witness testimony revealed that at Luke Bryan's, Strain's speech became slurred, prompting a bouncer to eject him from the rooftop bar.
Surveillance Video Sheds Light on Night Mizzou Student Riley Strain Disappeared
At approximately 10:00 PM, Strain was seen leaving Luke Bryan's alone. He vanished shortly thereafter, and his whereabouts remained unknown until the discovery of his body.
In light of Strain's unfortunate demise, the TABC urged alcohol-serving establishments to bolster staff training on safe alcohol practices.
"This essential training covers the behavioral effects of alcohol on the body and the factors affecting its absorption," said Aaron Rummage, director of legislation, policy, and communication for the TABC.
The bars visited by Strain have yet to respond to requests for comment. The surveillance video provides a glimpse into his last known moments, but the full circumstances surrounding his disappearance and death remain a mystery. As the investigation continues, authorities hope to shed further light on this tragic event.
