Riley Strain’s Devastated Family Orders Second Autopsy, Questioning Initial Finding of No Foul Play

After weeks of searching for Riley Strain, his body was finally found in a body of water. After the initial thought that there was no foul play in the young man's death, his family have requested a second autopsy considering some disturbing details that have emerged.

Earlier this month, the community was rocked by the tragic news of Riley Strain's untimely demise. Found in the Cumberland River, a place familiar yet now forever altered in the minds of those who knew Strain, the circumstances surrounding his death immediately raised questions.

A statement released via the Metro Nashville Police Department's Twitter hinted at a complex case, revealing that Strain's body bore "no foul-play related trauma" at the time of discovery. Yet, the autopsy was still pending, a fact that left more questions than answers in its wake.

In the days following this announcement, the initial relief that foul play might not have been involved gave way to a deeper, more disturbing puzzle. The autopsy's findings, or lack thereof, only added layers to the mystery. According to the coroner, Strain's lungs did not contain water—a detail that confounded expectations for a body discovered in a river. This revelation cast a long shadow of doubt over the preliminary assessments and propelled Strain's family to take action.

Determined to unearth the truth, the Strain family requested a second autopsy. Their dissatisfaction with the initial findings stemmed not only from the perplexing medical details but also from the state in which Strain was found. His possessions, or the lack thereof, painted a bewildering picture: Strain's watch and shirt were recovered, but his jeans, boots, and wallet were missing. This discovery fueled speculation and confusion, leaving the family and community to grapple with unsettling questions about the events leading up to Strain's death.

"I strongly believe… I think there’s somebody out there that knows what actually happened that night, and we would love for them to come forward,” Dingman, a family representative, expressed. “We need some more info." This heartfelt plea underscored the family's desperation for closure and the community's need for answers. As the investigation continued, the absence of crucial information only served to deepen the mystery.

In the midst of this turmoil, the Strain family prepared to lay Riley to rest. His funeral, set for Friday, March 29, promised to be a somber affair, a moment for loved ones to gather, remember, and mourn. Yet, even as they planned to say their final goodbyes, the Strains held onto hope that further investigation would shed light on the circumstances of Riley's passing.

As previously reported on March 22, 2024, Riley Strain's body was found after the young man having been missing for weeks:

After an exhaustive search spanning nearly a fortnight, officials have discovered the body of Riley Strain, the missing Missouri student, in the Cumberland River.

Authorities were alerted to a body found in the river in the Nations neighborhood of West Nashville on the morning of Friday, March 22. Subsequent investigation by the Metro Nashville Police Department confirmed the identity of the missing 22-year-old.

Police were able to establish the identity of the body through various means, including examination of his clothing and watch. Notably, officials stated that no evidence of "foul play-related trauma was observed." An autopsy is still pending. This tragic development has dashed any remaining hope of Riley's survival for his family.

As we previously reported:

Over a week after Riley Strain disappeared in Nashville, his family has been shown a pivotal piece of evidence in the search for the missing college student. On Sunday night, Nashville police shared a previously unreleased video with Strain's family, capturing him walking towards a bridge.

"It was the last known video of Riley,” his stepfather, Chris Whiteid, shared. The footage offered a glimmer of hope for the family, providing some insight into Strain's last known whereabouts. Whiteid expressed, “It was good to see him.” However, the video also deepened the mystery of Strain's path that evening, leaving his current location still unknown.

The search continues as Whiteid stated, “We’re looking for that next nugget right now, just trying to find that so we can move forward.” The community and law enforcement remain united in their efforts to uncover any leads that could bring Riley home. A nearby dam was also recently locked so that they could search for any clues regarding Strain. Although there was nothing found, it may still have a positive effect in the search for the young man.

As previously reported on March 21, 2023:

Riley Ray Strain, a 22-year-old University of Missouri student, vanished over a week ago after an evening out with friends in Nashville. The disappearance has sparked a massive search operation, gripping the city and Strain's hometown.

His heartbroken mother, Michelle Whiteid, has now made a public plea as the search intensifies, with the only clue being his bank card found near a river bank. The mystery deepened after the release of a baffling message from Strain's phone sent on the night he disappeared.

March 8: The Night of the Disappearance

On the night of March 8, Strain, a senior from the University of Missouri, disappeared after an evening out in Nashville. Known for his dynamic presence and standing at 6-foot-5, had visited Luke Bryan’s bar, Luke's 32 Bridge, located on Nashville’s vibrant Broadway.

The evening took a turn at approximately 9:35 p.m., when Strain was escorted out of the bar by the establishment's security, managed by the TC Restaurant Group, due to unspecified violations of conduct standards.

Surveillance footage later showed Strain crossing the street at 1st Ave N and Gay Street at 9:47 p.m., appearing to have a specific destination in mind. However, just five minutes later, another camera caught him looking disoriented and stumbling in the wrong direction, which would be the last known sighting of him.

March 9: Missing Person Report

The alarm over Strain’s disappearance rose the following morning, March 9, when his fraternity brothers noted his absence from their accommodation at the Tempo Hotel on Rosa Parks Boulevard.

The group was in Nashville for their annual spring formal. After Strain failed to return, his peers immediately began efforts to locate him, first attempting to track his location via Snapchat.

When this proved futile and repeated phone calls to Strain went unanswered, escalating concern led to his fraternity brothers reporting him missing to the police.

This disappearance triggered a wide-ranging search effort, leveraging both digital tools and traditional police work to locate Strain.

The early moments after his last sighting, his unexpected absence from the hotel, and the inability to contact him or track his movements digitally have compounded the urgency and mystery surrounding his case.

As law enforcement, family, friends, and the community continue their search, these details form crucial pieces of the puzzle in understanding what happened to Riley Strain after he left the bar.

March 10: Family's Search Begins

Strain's family, upon their arrival in Nashville from Springfield, Missouri, embarked on a detailed search for him starting March 10.

Led by his stepfather, Christopher Whiteid, and his mother, the family's initial steps involved visiting every emergency room in Nashville, hoping to find any sign of Strain or someone matching his description, but to no avail.

Determined to leave no stone unturned, they also went to the last known location of Strain's cellphone. Here, they were joined by other family members to comb through the area thoroughly, yet this effort also did not yield any results.

The family received some information from a detective assigned to Strain's case, who informed them that no one matching Riley’s description had been found in the morgue, nor had anyone been picked up by an ambulance or taken to an emergency room.

While this was neither positive nor negative news, it was taken by the family as a sign that there was still hope to find Strain.

March 11: University Statement

On March 11, the University of Missouri, where Strain was a senior, officially addressed his disappearance. Angela King Taylor, the interim vice chancellor for student affairs, released a statement highlighting the institution's deep concern for Strain's safety and wellbeing.

In her statement, Taylor emphasized, "The safety of our community is our highest priority. Our thoughts are with Riley’s family as the search continues." She further assured, "We will be offering any support to them that we can, and we encourage anyone who needs help to reach out to our counseling resources."

March 12: Police and Public Alert

On March 12, the Metro Nashville Police Department took to Twitter to amplify the search for Strain. Their tweet stated, "Officers continue to work to locate missing person Riley Strain, 22, who was last seen Fri. night by friends @ a Broadway bar in Nashville. Riley is from Missouri and was visiting. He is 6'5" tall with a thin build, blue eyes, and light brown hair. See him? Pls call 615-862-8600."

In addition to the social media appeal, the police department released surveillance footage that captured the last moments Strain was seen after being escorted out of Bryan’s bar.

The footage showed Strain stumbling and taking a wrong turn. This visual evidence brought a heightened level of concern to the case, demonstrating the potential vulnerability of Riley at the time of his disappearance and further emphasizing the need for any information that could lead to finding him.

March 13: Family Speaks to the Media

On March 13, the family of Strain shared their heart-wrenching journey and determination in an emotional interview with People magazine. Christopher, Strain’s stepfather, opened up about the family's anguish and resolve, saying, "It’s killing us. Because we don’t know what’s going on. We can’t find him."

The interview not only highlighted the emotional toll of the search on the family but also served as a call to action for anyone who might have information. "We're looking for you. We are not leaving until we have you. We're going to be with you at graduation...and everything's going to be fine," Christopher expressed, addressing Strain.

March 15: Bar's Statement

On March 15, the TC Restaurant Group, overseeing Luke Bryan’s bar where Riley was last seen, provided insight into the events of that night. In their statement, they clarified, “During Riley’s visit to Luke’s 32 Bridge, our records show he purchased and was served one alcoholic drink and two waters.”

The group elaborated on the decision to escort Strain out, stating, “At 9:35 p.m., our security team made a decision based on our conduct standards to escort him from the venue through our Broadway exit at the front of our building.”

It further stated that Strain and a friend were escorted down the stairs but the friend did not exit the premises with Strain, and instead, returned upstairs.

This account from the bar added a layer of context to the timeline of Riley’s disappearance, confirming his exit from the venue and highlighting the bar's policies regarding guest conduct.

March 17: Bank Card Found

On March 17, a new lead emerged in the search for Strain when his bank card was found near the Cumberland River, a significant distance from the last place he was seen.

This discovery was made by Anna Clendening and Brandy Baenen, two women who, motivated by the ongoing search efforts, decided to join the community's endeavor to find the missing student.

The bank card was located on the riverbank, amidst debris, a finding that Clendening described as possibly "dumb luck" or "divine intervention," considering the vast amount of trash in the area.

The Metro Nashville Police Department noted the discovery but did not immediately disclose what implications it might have for the search.

Meanwhile, the effort to find Strain gained renewed focus, with search teams and volunteers combing through areas around the Cumberland River for any additional clues that might lead to his whereabouts.

March 18: Police Release Body Camera Footage

On March 18, the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) provided a new piece of evidence in the ongoing search for Strain by releasing body camera footage featuring a brief encounter between Sttain and Officer Reginald Young.

The footage, captured on the night Strain disappeared, shows a momentary and seemingly casual interaction between the two on Gay Street. Officer Young, who was responding to a vehicle burglary call in the area, was approached by Strain.

The exchange, described by the MNPD as a “brief exchange of greetings,” appeared nonchalant, with Young asking, “How are you doing, sir?” and Strain responding, “I’m good, how are you?” before continuing on his way. Notably, Strain did not seem “distressed” during this interaction.

This encounter provides a crucial timestamp in the timeline of Strain's disappearance, indicating his presence on Gay Street shortly after being seen on surveillance footage. Although the exact time of the body camera footage wasn't specified by the MNPD, they noted that no further footage showing Strain away from Gay Street after the 9:52 p.m. timeframe has been discovered.

March 19: The Mysterious Message

On March 19, the investigation into Strain's disappearance took a surprising turn with the revelation of a cryptic text message sent from his phone on the night he vanished.

The message, reading "Good lops," was directed to a woman Strain was reportedly seeing, according to family friend Chris Dingman. This enigmatic communication added a layer of mystery to the case, as the recipient and even Strain’s own family were left puzzled by its content and intent.

The family’s confusion was compounded by the lack of clarity regarding the identity of the woman who received the message.

Michelle, Strain’s mother, admitted in an interview with NewsNation that while Strain had many friends, she could not pinpoint who the message was intended for. "He’s got several friends that are female, male. I don’t know the individual he talked to at that time," she stated.

March 20: Riley’s Mother Speaks

On March 20, the search for Strain was underscored by a powerful and emotional appeal from his mother, Michelle. Speaking tearfully to WKTN News, Michelle shared the deep impact Riley's disappearance has had on his friends.

In her words, "They're heartbroken also. I mean, he's their best friend, and we love these boys like our own, and it's just as hard on them as it is on us."

Michelle went on to express her personal anguish and unwavering love for her son, stating, "He's my best friend, he’s everything." Further emphasizing her resolve, she added that her sole focus was “on bringing Riley home.”

Michelle's heartfelt plea was not just a manifestation of her own despair but also a rallying cry for continued support in the search efforts to bring Riley back home.

Strain's stepfather, Christopher, alongside the family, has been deeply involved in the search for Strain since his disappearance. Chris's words convey the urgency and emotional toll of their efforts, saying, “We just want to find him, and we want to be able to take him home.”

Chris highlighted Riley's notable height and his outgoing nature, adding, "Riley is going to tower and stand out in a crowd anyways. He’s got a big personality, and doesn’t really know a stranger. He can walk up and talk to anybody."

Meanwhile, country music star Luke Bryan has expressed his hope for the safe return of Strain, Through Instagram stories, Bryan conveyed his concern and support for the ongoing search efforts, emphasizing the collaboration between his bar's operator, TC Restaurant Group, and the Metro Nashville Police Department.

The singer stressed the importance of providing security footage and any pertinent information that could aid in finding Strain. "Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones for his safe return," Bryan stated, further urging the public to come forward with any information that might help in the search.

Please leave any information or thoughts you might have about Riley Strain's disappearance in the comments section of our Facebook post.

We also encourage you to share the post on Facebook to help raise awareness. Your insight or share could play a crucial role in bringing Riley back home. Let's work together to spread the word and support the search effort.

Chicago Boy, 11, Found Dead at Home after Selflessly Trying to Save His Pregnant Mom’s Life

In the early hours of a Wednesday morning in Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood, a devastating scene unfolded that ended with the death of an 11-year-old boy, Jayden Perkins, and left his pregnant mother critically injured. Crosetti Brand, 37, has been charged with this atrocious act, facing first-degree murder and attempted murder among other charges.

The incident began when Brand, also known by the nickname "CO," launched a violent attack on the pregnant mother. The 33-year-old woman was on a regular phone call when Brand reportedly forcefully let himself in the house.

Court records indicate that the victim's mother heard her daughter's screams of "No CO" through the phone, which suddenly went silent. In a brave but tragic attempt to defend his mother, young Jayden intervened and was fatally stabbed by Brand.

Amidst this chaos, the youngest child, a 6-year-old boy, was found unharmed on the couch, but silently witnessed the horrific incident. Neighbors were alerted to the violence by the screams, prompting a quick response. One neighbor's mother, after getting no answer at the door, entered the apartment and immediately called 911 after realizing how bad the situation was.

First responders discovered Jayden's mother at the front door, with blood all over and severely wounded, particularly with a life-threatening injury to her neck. The victims were rushed to Ascension St. Francis Hospital in Evanston, where Jayden succumbed to his injuries, and his mother was treated for critical wounds.

Jayden was a student at the Helen C. Peirce School of International Studies, remembered for his academic success and love for sports and the arts. In a tribute to their late student, the school wrote. “He was the student who stood up for everyone."

A support fund was set up by the Peirce Elementary School Community and the Gus Giordano Dance School, raising significant financial support for the family. Over $26,000 has been collected towards a $50,000 goal to support the bereaved family.

Brand’s criminal history reveals a pattern of escalating violence and a failure of the system to protect the victims effectively. Court records document a show an episode where Brand forced entry into an ex-girlfriend's apartment, assaulted her, and threatened her 15-year-old son.

During this terrifying encounter, Brand escalated the violence by placing a gun under the ex-girlfriend’s chin, pushing her against a wall, and beginning to choke her. This incident led to Brand being sentenced to 16 years in prison for a home invasion, although he was paroled in October of the previous year.

After his parole, Brand continued his threatening behavior. On February 1, he issued threats to the Edgewater victim, demonstrating a blatant disregard for the legal constraints placed upon him. His actions included sending threatening text messages to the victim, proclaiming he would kill her and her family and even showed up at her residence, which resulted in his brief return to prison due to this parole violation.

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