Autopsy Reveals 'Lack Of Water' In Riley Strain's Lungs Which Raises Questions

Riley Strain's death is raising questions, as reports are now surfacing claiming that little water was found in his lungs.

Despite this new information, forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden believes there is "still no evidence of any foul play" in Riley Strain's death.

The 22-year-old vanished on the evening of March 8. After 14 days, his body was discovered in the river.

“They removed something from the river and as they moved it they noticed Mr. Strain and called it in,” Metropolitan Nashville Police Department Chief John Drake said.

Strain's family says they ordered a second autopsy as the 22-year-old was found without his pants or wallet. His credit card was also found near the river a few days prior to the discovery of his body. According to FOX, family spokesperson Chris Dingman said Strain had "a lack of" water in his lungs when he was discovered. The medical examiner's office has not yet released this detail.

Of course, this is shocking and is raising more questions considering the police say there is no evidence of foul play despite Strain being found in the river. Many speculated the student fell into the river while highly intoxicated, and he drowned, however, if there was little water found in his lungs, this could indicate he didn't die from drowning.

Despite this new revelation, Dr. Michael Baden is sticking by his claim of no foul play.

"Bottom line is, there's no evidence of any foul play here. The history is that he had been in a bar. The bartender says they only gave him one drink, but that's up to the toxicology report," Baden told Fox News Digital.

Many are now speculating that the college student might have been killed before being thrown into the river.

However, Dr. Baden says there could be an explanation for the little water found in Strain's lungs, claiming, "That's the issue about water in the lung after two weeks of composition in water. The amount of water that was in the lungs at the time of drawing and drowning, causing death, is of no value because the amount of water in the lungs changes a great deal."

Adding, "Sometimes going up, sometimes going down, as the body decomposes. So, with a decomposing body, two weeks in the water, the amount of water that was present [in the lungs] at the time of death is so unknown."

"It's not the water that causes harm" in a drowning the doctor said, "it's the blockage of oxygen getting to the lungs."

"So, if somebody goes in the water and because of a spasm of the windpipe, because … if you can't breathe, you get a little spasm there," he continued. "It's the lack of oxygen that causes the person to die. And one can have lack of oxygen and water without water getting into the lungs, but just by creating a spasm in the air passages," he explained.

While some are now speculating Strain was murdered, the doctor says this is "a classic case of somebody falling in the water while intoxicated, who then flows downstream with the river."

It was also of note that Strain was found without his pants and boots, yet his boxer and socks were still on.

"However, it is common, despite some expert opinions, or individuals in rivers flow downstream to have… parts of their clothing taken off by, branches in the water, by rocks, by rubbing against hard objects, by boats — that will all take clothing off. So the fact that he lost his pants and boots is not at all evidence that he was having foul play." Dr. Baden stated.

"And, it's interesting here that he had his shirt. The socks on. And he had an Apple Watch on or something," the doctor said, adding, "It doesn't look like it was a robbery of his valuables."

Authorities continue to investigate the case. A toxicology report for Strain is pending.