Riley Strain updates: Preliminary autopsy suggests student’s death was ‘accidental’

A preliminary autopsy has been completed on student Riley Strain’s body after he was recovered from Nashville, Tennessee’s Cumberland River this week .

The initial autopsy results suggest an accidental death, as there were no signs of foul play, police told WKRN . Authorities recovered his body Friday around eight miles from the downtown area where he was last seen.

Now, his family is thanking the Nashville community.

“I want to reiterate how thankful we are for everyone and how much we appreciate everyone’s support, love and prayers,” Strain’s mother, Michelle Whiteid, said.

“We are quite thankful for everything you’ve done — the grace you’ve given us,” Chris Whiteid, Strain’s stepfather, said.

The 22-year-old University of Missouri student was partying with his fraternity in Nashville on 8 March when he was kicked out of a bar around 10pm. Strain’s bank card was found a week later near the river.

The discovery came after Mr Whiteid and family friend Chris Dingman told NewsNation police had shown them footage of what was believed to be Strain’s last known movements.

In the video, Strain was seen jogging close to the river, away from the direction of his hotel, they said.