Riley Strain was found dead two weeks after he was last seen after being kicked out of a Nashville bar in 2024
Credit: Metro Nashville Police Department
NEED TO KNOW
- A Missouri judge has dismissed the lawsuit Riley Strain’s family filed against his fraternity following his death
- The college student was last seen by friends on March 8, 2024 at a bar in Nashville and his body was found two weeks later
- The family’s wrongful death lawsuit accused the defendants of abandoning the 22-year-old student when he needed their help
A Missouri judge has dismissed a lawsuit that the family of Riley Strain, a college student whose body was found after he disappeared during a trip to Nashville, filed against his fraternity. The suit was dismissed without prejudice.
Strain’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit last year against the Delta Chi fraternity and 32 individuals associated with the University of Missouri chapter, accusing them, among other things, of abandoning the 22-year-old student when he needed help.
Fraternity members said that within hours of arriving in Nashville, they noticed Strain “was acting unusual”— and was “virtually incoherent” by the time they reached the final bar on the night of March 8, 2024, according to the complaint.
Credit: Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK
That night, friends last saw him after he was asked to leave country music star Luke Bryan’s bar restaurant in Nashville, according to a previous statement from the TC Restaurant Group, which oversees the establishment.
After being kicked out of the bar, the suit alleged that “Riley was abandoned and alone” while his fraternity brothers kept “partying.” The complaint also alleged that they “failed to notice” he was missing and went to sleep before contacting his parents the following day, who then called the police.
Strain’s body was found found two weeks later in a Tennessee river about 8 miles from the downtown area.
According to an autopsy report, Strain died by accidental drowning and ethanol intoxication. His blood alcohol content was measured at .228, nearly three times the legal limit to drive.
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The court partially dismissed the suit in December, according to local television outlets WSMV/KY3 and Fox affiliate WKRN.
The court stated at the time that while having “great sympathy” for Strain’s family, it was “unaware of any court in the United States which has recognized the existence of a so-called ‘special relationship’ that might give rise to a claim for damages based on a duty owed by one adult fraternity member to another due to their shared status as ‘fraternity brothers.’ “
Credit: Metro Nashville PD
The pending claims were dismissed without prejudice on June 8, the outlets reported.
PEOPLE has reached out to lawyers for Strain’s family as well as the University of Missouri Delta Chi chapter, while Strain’s stepfather said the family will not be commenting due to “active and ongoing” matters.
The Delta Chi Fraternity released a statement on March 24, 2024, saying, “Our hearts go out to Riley’s family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time as we work to provide support and resources to all those affected by this tragedy.”
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