Why Riley Strain Got Kicked Out of Luke Bryan’s Bar

Riley Strain was removed from Luke Bryan’s Luke’s 32 Bridge bar just minutes before his untimely death on March 8. The reasons behind this ejection have now come to light.

An autopsy released last month did not provide this final detail. However, new, more comprehensive footage and police notes have unveiled additional information.

• The medical examiner’s report confirms that Strain died from drowning and ethanol intoxication.
• All bars in Nashville have been cleared of any wrongdoing in relation to his death.
• The private investigator hired by Strain’s family stated with certainty that no one involved in the investigation intended to accuse anyone or spread misinformation.

The recent release of information has debunked a popular conspiracy theory and includes new video footage showing the reactions of Strain’s friends.

News Channel 2 in Nashville, among several other media outlets, has viewed portions of the over 100 hours of security footage available. This footage from four different bars tracks Strain’s movements and sheds light on how and when he was removed from Luke’s 32 Bridge.

Strain had followed a friend to the bar where a verbal confrontation took place, prompting security to intervene. News Channel 2 reports that the disagreement was over a bar tab, although the security footage does not have audio.

A text message sent to the bar staff at 9:28 PM featured a picture of Strain and the note: “Verbally aggressive with staff. No Entry.”

Another text at 9:39 PM indicated that the first instruction was not followed. “I just escorted him out for a second time from upper. Please, no re-entry,” a security guard wrote.

At 10:00 PM, Strain’s phone stopped pinging on cell towers north of Gay St., near the Cumberland River. His body was found downstream two weeks later.

Videos show Strain’s friend trying to mediate the situation between the 22-year-old and bar security. After Strain was escorted out, his friend reportedly went to another part of the rooftop where their friends were and informed them that Strain had been kicked out. They then attempted to find him but were unsuccessful.

One photo, released before the investigation notes were available to the media, shows that Strain was not wearing a belt that night. This addressed concerns and speculations about how his pants could have been removed by the river, as many had suggested possible foul play.

Police have consistently stated that no foul play was suspected, and nothing in the medical examiner’s report has changed their viewpoint.