NASHVILLE, Tenn. (NewsNation) — A body pulled from the Cumberland River in West Nashville, Tennessee, early Friday morning has been identified as missing University of Missouri student Riley Strain, the Metro Nashville Police Department confirmed.
Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake said the police department received a call from a worker at a company based along the river of a dead body at 7:28 a.m. CT. The employee was working to remove objects that would pop ashore from the river — a routine job — when they noticed what appeared to be Strain’s body in the river, Drake said.
The police department was able to confirm Strain’s identity when officers arrived. Strain was still wearing his black and white shirt, his Apple Watch and other identifying objects that helped confirm his identity, Drake said.
Strain’s family has been notified, and an autopsy will be conducted later Friday, Drake said.
Drake confirmed there was no other evidence that suggested foul play. He explained that with cases such as this, it usually takes between 14 and 20 days for a body to surface.
The discovery came exactly two weeks after the 22-year-old went missing while on a fraternity trip in Nashville. Strain’s disappearance kicked off a relentless search in the city, garnering national attention from news media and online sleuths.
Multiple search crews spent the last two weeks canvassing the river and city for Strain. This week, the United Cajun Navy joined the effort.
Drake said the department received more than 200 tips from the public regarding Strain’s case.
His family had continued to hold out hope that their 22-year-old son would return home safely after he disappeared March 8. The Mizzou senior was last seen as he was kicked out of Luke Bryan’s bar Luke 32 Bridge.
Although some cameras captured the soon-to-be graduate making his way through downtown, gaps in the timeline of his movements and cameras pointed in the wrong direction made it hard to know exactly where to look for Strain.