Riley Strain's parents spoke to reporters on Friday, the first time that his family members have made a statement since the body of the 22-year-old college student was recovered from Cumberland River in Nashville, Tennessee.
Speaking to local media outlets, Strain's mother, Michelle Whiteid, held back tears and thanked everyone who has supported her family since Strain's disappearance.
"I just want to reiterate how thankful we are for everyone, and how much we appreciate everyone's support and love and prayers, because we feel them," Whiteid said. "We have felt every one of them.
"I just ask that you mommas out there hug your babies tight tonight, please." she continued. "Please for me, hug your babies tight tonight."
The Context
Strain, who attended the University of Missouri, was on a trip to Nashville with members of his fraternity when he went missing on March 8. The Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) said on Friday that Strain's body was found in the Cumberland River in West Nashville, roughly 8 miles from downtown.
The last known footage of Strain showed him stumbling while trying to walk, and police had spoken to a couple who saw Strain had appeared to be heavily inebriated. He had become separated from his friends on the night of his disappearance after he was kicked out of Luke's 32 Bridge, the bar of country music star Luke Bryan, on Broadway in downtown Nashville.
What We Know
Strain's father, Ryan Gilbert, also addressed reporters on Friday and thanked those who "helped us keep Riley's face in front of the cameras."
"You've helped us get some closure and let us take our boy home," he added.
Gilbert specifically thanked the MNPD's work in finding his son, as well as "all the people back home in our own personal lives that's been there to support us and our family at home as well."
Strain's stepfather, Chris Whiteid, said it has been "an emotional roller coaster" and also expressed his extreme gratitude "for everything that you've done for our family."
"We have learned through this ordeal that everybody has brought all the good to us," Whiteid continued. "We've had a little bad. You're gonna have that. But it has given us faith in people that sometimes gets clouded by what we're constantly hearing."
Views
Mun Choi, president of the University of Missouri, said in a statement Friday that the university was "equipped" to support the campus community in light of Strain's death, adding, "As the Mizzou community mourns Riley, we are keeping his family in our thoughts and offering support."
What's Next?
Police said on Friday that an autopsy on Strain's recovered body was pending. No foul play was suspected in his death, according to investigators.
Update 03/22/24, 8:30 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and background.
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