NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Nearly a week after learning their son died, Riley Strain's family ordered a second autopsy of their 22-year-old son.
The case remains open, and now the world-renowned expert in body decomposition questions what happened to Riley.
Riley was fully clothed in the security video the night he disappeared. But when he was pulled from the river two weeks later, I learned Riley didn't have pants on or his boots. From the waist down, only his boxer shorts and socks remained. However, police confirmed when his body was found that Riley had his shirt and Apple watch still on.
Watch me above talk about Riley's first autopsy report in the player above.
"It is unusual. Normally if you fall in the river, it's very difficult to get your pants off," said Dr. Bill Bass, who is the founder of the University of Tennessee's famed Body Farm and one of the foremost experts on body decomposition in the world.
I asked him about the missing pants and boots. Dr. Bass said it's possible, but unlikely they came off in the river current.
"No, they would not come off by themselves," Bass said.
He said debris could have snagged the clothing or he had another theory.
"I would say somebody took them off," Bass said. "If you do research on this, it would be very difficult because you've got to kill a person to do it, but it is difficult to get your pants off. It's difficult when you are alive to get your pants off."
I spoke with Riley’s stepdad Chris Whiteid, who says he didn't want to comment now about the second autopsy since the family is focused on Riley's funeral on Friday.
But he did say they have “big things to share” next week.
Investigators are still awaiting toxicology results from the autopsy.
Who is Riley Strain and when was he last seen?
Riley Strain, 22, is a University of Missouri senior who disappeared after a night out with friends in Downtown Nashville on March 8.
He went missing after he was kicked out of Luke Bryan's bar on Lower Broadway.
Surveillance video and body-cam footage was released detailing the night, as well as a statement from Luke Bryan's bar, claiming they only ever sold him one alcoholic beverage and two waters.
New video, 911 call give more details into Riley Strain's disappearance
Here's a timeline of events that led up to his disappearance.
WTVF
What evidence was found?
On March 17, Metro Police said Riley's bank card was found in the Cumberland River embankment along Gay Street by those who had been searching for Riley themselves.
Riley Strain's parents say thank you. A day later, Riley's bank card is found.
Riley's body was found in the Cumberland River in the Nations area 14 days after he went missing. We've created a map diagram to show the distance from where Riley went missing to where he was located.
WTVF
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It also revealed that Strain was found floating face down in the river and wearing a "tan and black short sleeve shirt, blue plaid undershorts and black socks."
Strain's body was found on March 22 in the Cumberland River in West Nashville. Police said the college student's death appears “accidental,” with no trauma suggesting foul play, according to preliminary autopsy results. The medical examiner who performed that autopsy said there was no water in Strain's lungs.
Police announced that Strain's body was found two weeks after he first went missing. "The body of Riley Strain was recovered from the Cumberland River in West Nashville this morning, approximately 8 miles from downtown," the MNPD said in a statement. "No foul play-related trauma was observed.
Riley Strain, a University of Missouri student, went missing on March 8 after traveling to Nashville for a "private event." Family members reported Strain had gone out with fraternity members that night but was separated and hasn't been seen since.
Dingman did confirm that there were no apparent signs of trauma found in the autopsy. The family was reportedly confused by the coroner saying there was no water found in Strain's lungs, which led them to ask for a second autopsy from a private company in Nashville.
Riley Strain's death appears 'accidental,' Metro police say
Strain's death is still presumed to be accidental, pending the medical examiner's autopsy report. As the family continues pressing for answers, Dingman said they've had minimal communication with the friends Strain was out with on his last night.
His body was later found in the Cumberland River. Strain's family told NewsNation's Brian Entin that evidence that Strain fell into the water by accident did not seem convincing to them. Police said that his death appears to be “accidental.”
According to the autopsy report, Strain's death was accidental. The TABC found there was no evidence Nashville bars overserved Strain. Strain's disappearance got nationwide attention as crews searched for the college student who was visiting Nashville with his fraternity.
Anna Pauly, known for her unique persona and vibrant presence, has carved out her own identity while being the girlfriend of Riley Strain. Their connection extends beyond mere companionship; it embodies a partnership that inspires many.
The body of Riley Strain, a missing Missouri student, has been found in a West Nashville river. No foul play is suspected, police said. NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The family of Riley Strain has reportedly ordered a second autopsy, family friend Chris Dingman confirmed to a local news station.
Chris Whiteid previously told NewsNation that the last-known footage of Strain showed him approaching the James Robertson Parkway bridge fully clothed. When Strain's body was found, he wasn't wearing the pants, wallet, or cowboy boots he had on earlier in the night.
Riley Strain: Timeline from student's disappearance until his body was found in Nashville. Two weeks after missing University of Missouri (Mizzou) student Riley Strain was last seen, his body was found in the Cumberland River in Nashville, Tennessee.
Dingman said when Strain was found, he was not wearing jeans or boots and his wallet was not found. Strain's family ordered a second independent autopsy in an attempt to learn more about his death. Metro Nashville police said the 22-year-old's death, "continues to appear accidental."
He believes the clothing came off in the river. He said, "Bottom line is, there's no evidence of any foul play here. The history is that he had been in a bar. The bartender says they only gave him one drink, but that's up to the toxicology report.
Introduction: My name is Arline Emard IV, I am a cheerful, gorgeous, colorful, joyous, excited, super, inquisitive person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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