Family Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Delta Chi Fraternity Over Student's Drowning

The lawsuit alleges negligence, excessive drinking, and abandonment by fraternity members leading to Riley Strain's death during a spring formal in Nashville.

Riley Strain, a University of Missouri student, drowned in the Cumberland River in March 2024 after attending a Delta Chi fraternity formal in Nashville.
The wrongful death lawsuit, filed nearly a year after his death, accuses the fraternity of negligence, including pressuring Strain to attend the event and encouraging excessive alcohol consumption.
The lawsuit alleges fraternity members abandoned Strain after he was visibly intoxicated and ejected from a bar, failing to ensure his safety or notify authorities promptly.
Delta Chi's risk management policies, which prohibit high-alcohol-content beverages at events, were reportedly ignored during the formal, where beer and Jell-O shots were served on charter buses.
Strain's family seeks a jury trial and compensation for his pain and suffering, as well as funeral and related expenses, highlighting broader concerns about fraternity accountability and safety.