Riley, a student at the University of Missouri, was attending the trip with his fraternity, Delta Chi, when the events of that night turned fatal.
On March 8, 2024, Riley and his friends were out enjoying the nightlife on Broadway in Nashville.
He had been drinking heavily and was kicked out of a bar for over-intoxication.
Surveillance footage shows Riley walking alone through downtown Nashville after being removed from the bar.
At the time, he was separated from his friends and lost contact with them.
Despite this, no one seemed to intervene or take action to ensure his safety.
His friends, who had been with him earlier, did not appear to notice his absence until much later, and it was not until he was reported missing that any real effort to find him began.
On March 22, 14 days after his disappearance, Riley’s lifeless body was found in the Cumberland River, about eight miles from where he was last seen.
The discovery of his body devastated his family and sparked outrage over how his disappearance had been handled.
The authorities performed an autopsy, which concluded that Riley had died from accidental drowning.
His toxicology report showed that his blood alcohol concentration was 0.228, nearly three times the legal driving limit, which pointed to a high level of intoxication at the time of his death.
Additionally, the report revealed small traces of THC, indicating he had also consumed marijuana.
Despite this official ruling, the Strain family is not convinced that this was simply an accident.
They believe the fraternity brothers who were with Riley that night failed to properly supervise him and left him vulnerable in an unfamiliar environment.
The family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Delta Chi fraternity, accusing the organization of negligence and failing to ensure Riley’s safety during the trip.
The Strain family claims that Riley’s mental and physical state should have been enough for the fraternity to intervene.
They assert that after being kicked out of the bar, Riley was left alone, despite being clearly intoxicated and in no condition to navigate the streets alone.
In their lawsuit, the Strain family describes how Riley’s fraternity brothers, who were aware of his intoxication, did nothing to ensure he returned safely to his hotel.
Riley’s mother, Anna Clemdening, expressed her shock and disappointment in how the situation was handled.
She and her husband Brian Strain feel that the fraternity members failed to uphold their responsibility as Riley’s guardians during this trip.
Riley’s mother further lamented the lack of immediate action taken when Riley went missing.
It wasn’t until the police were called that a search operation was launched, but by that time, it was too late.
Tanner Strain, Riley’s father, was also deeply frustrated by how the situation unfolded.
He believes that if the fraternity had properly acted when Riley was first missing, it is possible that his son could have been found alive.
The family has even gone as far as to ask the FBI to take over the investigation, believing the local authorities were too slow to act and did not treat the case with the urgency it required.
The Strain family’s grief has been compounded by the emotional toll of having to relive their son’s last moments.
A recent memorial for Riley was held, and his parents, though devastated by the loss, spoke out about their son’s bright personality and kind heart.
“He was a vibrant, caring soul,” said Anna Clemdening during a memorial service. “His laughter and joy filled every room he entered.”
The Strains hope that their legal action will raise awareness about the dangers of excessive drinking and the irresponsibility that can come with group trips.
They believe the lack of accountability by the fraternity shows a dangerous pattern of neglect that needs to be addressed to prevent further tragedies.
Riley’s family has set up a GoFundMe page to cover his funeral expenses and honor his memory.
The page reflects their love for Riley, describing him as a young man with a big heart and a deep love for his family.
Despite the pain, the Strain family is determined to fight for justice.
They hope their efforts will lead to changes in how college groups handle student safety and support those who are vulnerable due to excessive alcohol consumption.
They want to ensure that their son’s tragic death will not be forgotten, and they are committed to making sure that Riley’s story serves as a catalyst for change.
Riley’s death also serves as a reminder of the importance of supervision when children and young adults are in vulnerable situations.
The Strain family, along with their supporters, are demanding accountability for the actions that led to the tragic loss of their beloved son.
They hope their story will inspire others to take action and create safer environments for students traveling on group trips.