NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A second, private autopsy was conducted on Riley Strain's body after his family wasn't satisfied with the preliminary findings of the first autopsy conducted by the Nashville medical examiner.
Chris Dingman, who said he is a friend of Strain's family, told a host on NewsNation's "Elizabeth Vargas Reports" on Wednesday that the family was confused by details of the first autopsy, including the lack of water in the body's lungs and what Strain was wearing when his body was found.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Death of Mizzou student Riley Strain appears accidental, police say
“The only thing that was found with him, as the police stated in the report, was the watch and the shirt,” Dingman told NewsNation host Brian Entin.
The details of the first report, however, don't seem unusual to experts 5 On Your Side spoke with.
Dr. Michael Graham has examined dozens of bodies pulled from the Mississippi River throughout the 40 years he spent as St. Louis' Medical Examiner.
The recently retired pathologist said the absence of water in the lungs of a body that has decomposed for that long is not unusual. A victim could still drown and be found without water in their lungs.
Many of the bodies pulled from rivers and other bodies of water are also found nude are partially nude, Graham said. Clothes and shoes can be pulled off by currents, get snagged by something in the water or possibly be weighed down by getting filled with sand.
Metro Nashville Police Department spokesperson Kris Mumford said Strain’s death “continues to appear accidental" after a detective attended the first autopsy, The Tennessean reported Sunday. Mumford said toxicology results were pending, but there is no apparent foul play. The first autopsy won’t be complete until all testing is finished.
Top St. Louis headlines
Get the latest news and details throughout the St. Louis area from 5 On Your Side broadcasts here.