Body of missing student Riley Strain recovered from Cumberland River in Nashville: Latest updates

Riley Strain’s parents and relatives gave an emotional statement on Friday evening, all wearing green — the student’s favourite colour.

Riley’s mother, Michelle Whiteid, gave an emotional address to members of the media after her son’s body was recovered from the Cumberland River.

“I just want to reiterate how thankful we are for everyone, how much we appreciate everyone’s support,” Ms Whiteid said.

“I just ask that you mamas out there hug your babies tight tonight, please, for me,” she continued.

The following is a timeline of the disappearance of Riley Strain.

Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell urged residents and visitors to be cautious and to be mindful of each other in the city in the wake of Riley Strain’s death.

“I think this is an important reminder to everyone to also look out for one another,” Mr O’Connell said during a Friday morning meeting. “You know, I think some of this is just about how we as a city look after each other as neighbors and as people interacting in the entertainment district.”

In total, more than 200 tips have poured in in connection to the disappearance of Riley Strain.

The student vanished back on 8 March after being kicked out of a bar in downtown Nashville.

Surveillance footage showed him walking close to the Cumberland River.

In the two weeks between his disappearance and the tragic discovery of his body, over 200 tips were sent in by members of the public.

Riley Strain was still wearing his distinctive shirt when his body was pulled from the river, police said.

On the night he was last seen in downtown Nashville, Strain was sporting a monochrome shirt.

Since his disappearance, reports have emerged that a homeless man had found a shirt matching the description close to the river bank and was later seen wearing it.

But, in the press conference on Friday morning, police said that Strain was still wearing his shirt and watch – and that these items helped to identify him.

Police said that the medical examiner have reviewed the body and confirmed that it belongs to Riley Strain.

But, as it stands, there are no signs of foul play.

In a press briefing, police said that a worker spotted a body in the river around 7.28am that morning.

The worker was removing an object from the river, when the body surfaced, police said.

The Nashville Fire Department was called in to the scene and recovered the body from the water.

Police have located the body of missing University of Missouri student Riley Strain in West Nashville after he disappeared two weeks ago.

Mr Strain’s body was pulled from the Cumberland River, approximately 8 miles from downtown Nashville.

Police said an initial analysis of Mr Strain’s body showed no evidence that of foul play, and that an autopsy is pending.

Police searched the Cheatham Dam in hopes of locating Riley Strain on Wednesday.

Local news broadcaster WKRN was on site during the seach and shared a short clip showing the dam where the search was focused.