Mystery Surrounds Missing Clothing in Riley Strain's Death as Family Orders Second Autopsy

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ICARO Media Group
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28/03/2024 21h01

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - In a puzzling development, the family of Riley Strain has ordered a second autopsy for their 22-year-old son, nearly a week after his tragic death. The case remains open, and renowned forensic expert Dr. Bill Bass has raised questions about what really happened to Riley.

According to sources, Riley was seen wearing a full set of clothing, including pants and boots, in the security video on the night he disappeared. However, when his body was retrieved from the Cumberland River two weeks later, he was found with only his boxer shorts and socks, with his shirt and Apple watch still intact.

The missing pants and boots have ignited speculation about the circumstances surrounding Riley's death. Dr. Bill Bass, founder of the University of Tennessee's famed Body Farm and an expert in body decomposition, opines that it is unusual for clothing to come off on its own in a river current. He suggests the possibility that somebody removed them intentionally.

"It is difficult to get your pants off, even when you are alive," Dr. Bass observed, adding that research on this subject is challenging due to ethical restrictions.

Riley's stepfather, Chris Whiteid, declined to comment on the second autopsy, indicating that the family is currently focused on preparing for Riley's funeral, which is scheduled for Friday. However, he did tease that the family has "big things to share" in the coming week.

Law enforcement officials are eagerly awaiting the results of the toxicology tests from the autopsy, which could provide further insights into the circumstances surrounding Riley's death.

Riley Strain, a 22-year-old senior at the University of Missouri, was last seen on March 8 after a night out with friends in Downtown Nashville. He went missing after being ejected from Luke Bryan's bar on Lower Broadway. Surveillance footage and body-cam recordings have since been released, along with a statement from the bar, asserting that they only served Riley one alcoholic beverage and two waters.

On March 17, Riley's bank card was discovered along the Cumberland River embankment by individuals involved in the search efforts. This finding further deepened the mystery surrounding his disappearance.

Fourteen days after his disappearance, Riley's lifeless body was found in the Nations area of the Cumberland River. A map diagram has been created to illustrate the distance between the location where Riley was last seen and where he was ultimately located.

As the second autopsy proceeds and investigators wait for the toxicology results, the lingering questions surrounding Riley Strain's death and the enigmatic circumstances involving his missing clothing remain at the forefront of the investigation.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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