Renowned forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden believes that there is no evidence of foul play in the death of Riley Strain, a 22-year-old student who drowned in the Cumberland River after a night out in Nashville. Strain was found in the river without his pants or wallet, leading his family to order a second autopsy. Baden, however, believes that the missing clothing does not necessarily indicate foul play, as it is common for clothing to be removed from bodies in flowing rivers due to various factors. He also stated that the amount of water found in Strain’s lungs is not a reliable indicator of whether foul play was involved.
According to Baden, the amount of water in the lungs found in drowning victims can change significantly over time, as the body decomposes in water. He explained that it is not the water itself that causes harm in drowning, but rather the blockage of oxygen getting to the lungs. Baden dismissed theories that Strain might have been murdered prior to being found in the river, emphasizing that the evidence points to an accidental drowning after falling into the water while intoxicated. He noted that the fact that Strain’s shirt, socks, and Apple Watch were still intact suggests that there was no robbery involved.
Riley Strain had disappeared while on a spring formal trip with his fraternity and was last seen leaving Luke Bryan’s bar on Broadway in downtown Nashville. The security team at the bar escorted him out due to conduct standards, and video footage later showed him stumbling away from the bar in the direction of the river. Police are still investigating how Strain ended up walking in the opposite direction of his hotel, with the possibility that he may have entered the wrong destination into a map on his phone. The case garnered national attention, and authorities are continuing to explore all possible leads.
The Metro Nashville Police Department stated that Riley Strain’s death appears to be accidental, with no foul play-related trauma identified in the preliminary autopsy results. Toxicology results are pending, and the investigation is ongoing to determine the exact circumstances of Strain’s death. The family spokesperson for Strain mentioned a lack of water in his lungs when he was found in the river, a detail that has not been released by the medical examiner’s office. Baden emphasized that the presence of water in the lungs cannot definitively indicate foul play in a drowning case, especially in a decomposing body.
In response to speculation about the circumstances of Strain’s death, Baden explained that the lack of oxygen reaching the lungs is what causes a person to die in a drowning, rather than the presence of water in the lungs. He described how a spasm in the air passages can result in a lack of oxygen without water entering the lungs. Baden cautioned against jumping to conclusions about foul play based on incomplete information, highlighting the need for a comprehensive investigation to determine the true cause of Strain’s death. The case has raised concerns and questions about the sequence of events leading up to Strain’s tragic drowning in the Cumberland River.
