On March 22nd, 2025, The Kansas City Star reported that the family of a college student who passed away has filed a wrongful death lawsuit. The family of Riley Strain—a 22-year-old University of Missouri student who drowned while intoxicated during a trip to Nashville during the Spring of 2024—is suing Delta Chi for negligence. In this article, our Kansas City wrongful death lawyer provides a more comprehensive overview of the case.
University of Missouri Fraternity Brother Drowned During 2024 Trip to Nashville
In March of 2024, Riley Strain, a 22-year-old University of Missouri student and member of the Delta Chi fraternity, attended a fraternity formal event in Nashville, Tennessee. On the evening of March 8th, after visiting multiple other bars with his fraternity brothers, Mr. Strain was escorted out of Luke’s 32 Bridge bar. Surveillance footage later captured him walking alone in downtown Nashville. When he failed to return to his hotel room, his fraternity brothers reported him missing early the next morning. After an extensive two-week search, Mr. Strain’s body was unfortunately discovered on March 22nd in the Cumberland River. His body was recovered approximately eight miles from where he was last seen. The autopsy revealed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.22—an amount nearly three times the legal driving limit.
Wrongful Death Lawsuit: Delta Chi Created Dangerous Conditions
As confirmed by The Kansas City Star, Riley Strain’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against The Delta Chi Fraternity Inc., the Missouri chapter of the organization, and several individual fraternity members. Among other things, the wrongful death lawsuit alleges that the fraternity was negligent in planning and overseeing the Nashville trip. Specifically, the lawsuit cites alleged violations of the fraternity’s own policies by allowing the consumption of high-alcohol-content beverages and failing to provide adequate supervision. The wrongful death lawsuit also alleges that Riley Strain was pressured into attending the event and was abandoned by his fraternity brothers when he became visibly intoxicated. The family contends that these failures created dangerous conditions that contributed to his tragic death.
An Overview of Wrongful Death Claims in Missouri
A wrongful death claim is a civil cause of action. In Missouri, a wrongful death lawsuit may be a viable option when a person dies due to the negligent, reckless, or intentional actions or inactions of another party. These civil claims allow certain surviving family members, such as spouses, children, and parents, to seek justice and financial compensation for their loss. Damages may include out-of-pocket medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, lost financial support, loss of love, loss of companionship, and loss of consortium.
Schedule a Free Case Review With a Top Kansas City Wrongful Death Lawyer
At House Law LLC, our Kansas City wrongful death attorney is a skilled, compassionate advocate for families. If your loved one was killed in an incident caused by negligence, we can help. Get in touch with us by phone or contact us online for a free, no-obligation case review. With an office in Kansas City, we represent grieving families throughout the region in Missouri.
Tags: brain injury, personal injury, traumatic brain injury
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