A candlelight vigil was held last night in Nashville to remember Riley Strain.

His family and others gathered at the Metro Nashville Police Department Headquarters last night to express their gratitude after the 22-year-old’s body was recovered from the Cumberland River yesterday morning.

“Those of you that helped us keep Riley’s face in front of the cameras, you’ve helped us get some closure here and let us take our boy home. I got a lot of people to thank, and I’m sure I’ll forget somebody. You won’t be forgotten. I’ll remember you. The whole family will remember you,” said Strain’s father, Ryan Gilbert.

“I just want to reiterate how thankful we are for everyone and how much we appreciate everyone’s support and love and prayers because we feel them. We felt every one of them. I just ask that you mamas out there. Hug your babies tight tonight. Please for me to hug your babies tight tonight. Thank you for sharing our story,” said Strain’s mother, Michelle Whiteid.

The University of Missouri student’s body was found eight miles downriver from where he was last seen and still had on the shirt he was wearing when he went missing on March 8 after getting kicked out of Luke’s 32 Bridge in Downtown Nashville.

Authorities do not suspect foul play in his disappearance or his death.

Picture used in story courtesy of NewsNation.