‘Doesn’t smell right:’ Internet curious as Riley Strain's last contacted person gives ‘huge’ lead to family and police

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE: In a significant development in the case of Riley Strain’s mysterious disappearance and subsequent death, the last person known to have spoken to him has finally spoken up.

This individual has stated to the police and Strain’s family, who have described this as a “huge” development.

Riley Strain's family says it was 'something we were looking for'

Chris Dingman, a spokesperson for the devastated Strain family, revealed: “That was huge."

"That was something we were looking for,” Dingman said on NewsNation. This comes three weeks after Strain’s body was found.

However, Dingman did not disclose the identity of the witness or the specific details they provided about Strain’s fate.

On March 8, Riley Strain, a 22-year-old University of Missouri student, who was on a Spring Break trip to the Music City, visited a bar late at night.

Later, authorities discovered Strain's body from a nearby river. Investigations show that he disappeared soon after being removed from Luke’s 32 Bridge bar in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, and appeared to be running and hitting a pole, on video.

Riley Strain's autopsy confirms no foul play but missing water from lungs raises suspicion

Strain's body was discovered on March 22, two weeks later in the Cumberland River following an extensive search.

On March 23, Nashville police confirmed that Strain’s preliminary autopsy had been completed and his death appeared to be an accident pending toxicology reports, with “no foul play-related trauma” present.

According to TMZ, the preliminary report confirmed the absence of water in his lungs, raising concerns that he might’ve already been dead before hitting the water, and casting doubt on the assumption he drowned.

Strain’s family ordered a second autopsy and is continuing to look for other evidence that may shed light on what happened to him.

Riley Strain's unseen video footage could also hold answers

Apart from the additional witness statement, another potential source of new information is the video footage from a detention center near where Strain was last seen.

While the video from one camera at the center has been made public, there are several other cameras, and those recordings have not been available to the family.

“We would love to see the footage,” Dingman said on the station, noting it was currently in the possession of the local sheriff’s department.

“We now do have confirmation that there were cameras pointing back toward the bridge where Riley went missing," he said.

Internet is curious about Riley Strain's case

As the family continues to search for answers, the Internet is also inquisitive about what exactly happened to Strain.

Reacting to the latest news, netizens have expressed their concerns and suspicions.

One user wrote, “I continue to pray that they find out what really happened I believe he was attacked much love to his family and hugs.”

Another commented, “Something about this whole situation doesn’t smell right. If Riley was my son, I would want more information than what has already been given. I would want to know everything from the time he left the bar until the moment he “fell” into the river! Everything!”

One individual questioned, “I’d like to know why the sheriff’s office is holding these videos ???”

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.