Riley Strain case: Forensic experts say ‘more to be investigated’
- Riley Strain, 22, was last seen alive March 8
- His body was discovered in Nashville on March 23
- Investigators say his death appears accidental; family has more questions
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(NewsNation) — A pair of forensic experts say there’s more to learn regarding the death of 22-year-old Missouri student Riley Strain, whose body was missing pants, a wallet and boots when it was discovered last week.
Dr. Michelle Dupre, founder of the Forensic Consulting Network, and Joseph Scott Morgan, forensic analyst and host of the “Body Bags” podcast, joined “Elizabeth Vargas Reports” on Thursday to weigh in on the investigation.
“I think maybe we’re a little premature in this right now,” Dupre said. “There’s more to be investigated.”
The University of Missouri student was last seen March 8 during a night out with friends in downtown Nashville. His body was found two weeks later in the Cumberland River after a massive search effort.
On Saturday, March 23, the Metro Nashville Police Department confirmed to NewsNation affiliate WKRN that Strain’s preliminary autopsy had been completed and that his death continued to appear “accidental,” with no foul play-related trauma.
Strain’s family, however, still had unanswered questions that led them to seek a second autopsy.
“We don’t have toxicology yet,” Morgan said. “I think we’ve really jumped the gun on this. We need to know what’s going on in this young man’s system. “