(NewsNation) — Riley Strain’s family is questioning why the belt they know he was wearing didn’t secure his pants the night of his disappearance.
“Riley had a swimmer’s body,” family friend Chris Dingman said during an appearance on “Elizabeth Vargas Reports.” “(The belt) would have been snug to him, riding on his hips. … As soon as we found out he had a belt on that night, (it) totally changes the dynamics of why those articles are missing.”
When Strain’s body was recovered, he wasn’t wearing his pants, wallet or cowboy boots he had on the night he went missing.
The University of Missouri student, 22, was last seen March 8, when he vanished during a night out with friends in downtown Nashville. His body was found two weeks later in the Cumberland River after a massive search effort.
(Courtesy: Family of Riley Strain) 
Riley Strain, 22, disappeared on March 8, 2023 in Nashville. (Credit: Whiteid and Gilbert family) 
Riley Strain, 22, disappeared on March 8, 2023 in Nashville. (Credit: Whiteid and Gilbert family) 
Riley Strain, 22, disappeared on March 8, 2023 in Nashville. (Credit: Whiteid and Gilbert family)
On Saturday, March 23, the Metro Nashville Police Department confirmed to NewsNation affiliate WKRN that Strain’s preliminary autopsy had been completed, adding his death continued to appear “accidental,” with no foul play-related trauma.
However, the family has ordered a second autopsy in hopes of obtaining more information.
“It’s very brutal on the family right now. We’re at the stage where we want answers. We’re blessed to bring Riley home, but now, we want answers,” Dingman added.
Another puzzling detail from the first autopsy was a medical examiner stating Strain had no water in his lungs, raising questions about the circumstances of his death.
Despite ongoing inquiries, there are still individuals the police have yet to interview, including those from a homeless encampment near where Strain’s body was found.
NewsNation’s Damita Menezes contributed to this report.
