Vigil in memory of Riley Strain held on University of Missouri campus

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A vigil in honor of Riley Strain was planned to take place at Traditions Plaza on the University of Missouri campus Thursday.

Strain was a 22-year-old student who went missing on a trip with his fraternity to Nashville, Tennessee. His body was recovered last month from the Cumberland River. Nashville police said no foul play was suspected, but a second autopsy was ordered by Strain's family.

Students returned to campus this week after being gone on spring break. The Missouri Delta Chi chapter, in an Instagram post, asked those attending the vigil to wear green in Strain's honor. It marked the first time since Strain's death that members of Missouri's Delta Chi fraternity spoke publicly. They shared memories and hugs as hundreds of students packed the Tradition's Plaza on MU's campus.

"We're all human. So for me sad, devastated and I felt for all his brothers and his family," Delta Chi Director of Alumni Relations Ross Dickneite said. "I'll give a lot of credit to these guys because the planning that went into this, it was really well run and I think it did do justice to Riley's memory and honoring him, and that was the main thing."

The goal of the vigil was to try and get closure for students on campus after what Dickneite described as “a rough couple of weeks."

Fraternity members described him as someone who always wanted to get involved. He loved the outdoors and could often be found at the docks at the crack of dawn fishing.

"Green makes you look good," Dickneite said. "That was Riley’s favorite color. That was kind of his motto and to me, when I look out at the amphitheater tonight and see everyone in that green to support Riley I think it speaks volumes to the whole community."

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