There’s a new development in the Riley Strain case, with his mother revealing Riley texted her that his drink “did not taste good” ahead of his death.
Riley Strain went missing in early March during a trip to Nashville with his friends/fraternity brothers. The 22-year-old University of Missouri student’s body was found on March 22 in the Cumberland River in West Nashville.
The original autopsy revealed there was no foul play. However, Riley’s family isn’t so sure.
“The family did have a second autopsy actually in Tennessee, following the national autopsy, from a private individual company that does that,” family friend Chris Dingman told News Nation. “The original autopsy come out just like theirs did with you know, no obvious signs of trauma, as in weapons, guns or knives or etc. But they were able to do a little bit more testing on specific items.”
“One thing that threw the family for a loop was the coroner going on record with a news person in Nashville stating about the lack of water in his lungs,” he added. “I’m not a crime drama person by no means but usually water in the lungs means that you know, they were alive when they went into the water.”
Now, there seems to be even more reason to investigate a more sinister cause of Riley’s death.
Riley Strain’s Mother Claims His Drink Did ‘Not Taste Good’ the Night He Went Missing
Michelle Whiteid, Riley’s mom, claims he texted her the night of his disappearance. Apparently, he said his rum and coke did “not taste good.” He reportedly told her the drink tasted like barbeque sauce, to which she replied he probably shouldn’t continue drinking it.
The text conversation convinced Riley’s mom her son’s drink was spiked with something at Luke Bryan’s bar in Nashville. Shortly after informing his mother of his oddly tasting drink, Riley left the bar and disappeared.
The bar workers, however, claimed Riley only ordered one mixed drink and two glasses of water. They eventually had to escort him out of the bar.
“Maybe there was something in it that shouldn’t have been,” Michelle said.
Some believe that Riley was possibly drugged the night he went missing. Others — including Luke Bryan’s bar staff — claim he was already severely intoxicated before showing up at the last bar. In fact, that’s allegedly why he was kicked out.
Professionals are adamant that Riley’s death was likely accidental, but his family isn’t so quick to believe that. The toxicology report is still pending.