Riley Strain: Mom of teen found dead in river received chilling message from him on night he went missing

Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE: As investigation into the tragic death of Riley Strain unfolds, his family gains a crucial understanding of his last hours through access to his bank records.

Michelle Whiteid, Strain's mother, revealed in an interview on NewsNation that her son texted her on the night he went missing, expressing his rum and coke did "not taste good" which he likened to "barbecue." 

Michelle Whiteid recounts conversation with her son 

The 22-year-old University of Missouri senior was reported missing in Nashville on March 8 after being ejected from Luke's 32 Bridge and becoming separated from his friends. His body was later found in the Cumberland River by a passerby.

According to Michelle, Riley ordered a rum and coke during the night out in Music City with his fraternity brothers. Concerned by his description of the drink, she urged him not to consume it, speculating that "maybe there was something in it that shouldn’t have been."

Foul play ruled out in Riley Strain's death

Witnesses and surveillance footage indicated that Riley appeared "very, very intoxicated" after being ejected from the bar.

While the establishment claimed he had only been served one alcoholic beverage, his family believes he may have been drugged, given the history of drugging incidents in Nashville's nightlife scene.

Although this explanation is deemed credible, there's also speculation that Riley was already significantly intoxicated upon his arrival at Luke's. The establishment maintains that they ejected him due to disruptive behavior, asserting that he was already inebriated.

They claim to have surveillance footage supporting this, although it has not yet been released. While Riley's death seems accidental based on the autopsy findings, the toxicology report is still awaited.

Riley's family continues to hold firm to their belief that events unfolded differently on that fateful night, refusing to accept the police investigation's determination of no foul play. Following their request for a second autopsy report, Riley's stepfather Chris Whiteid stated, “If he fell and truly fell in the water, and you can prove that to me, show me. I’ll accept it,”

Anyone with information about Riley’s disappearance is asked to call police at 615-862-8600. Anyone on the University of Missouri’s campus who has any information is asked to call MU Police at 573-882-7201.