Missing N.J. Woman Found Alive After ‘Climbing Up’ Riverbank in Downtown Nashville: ‘Truly a Miracle’
Alexandria Chmiel emerged from a bank along the Cumberland River — the same river where the body of University of Missouri student Riley Strain was found
Metro Nashville PD/X
Alexandria Chmiel, who went missing in Nashville, is seen in this image shared by the MNPDA woman from New Jersey who went missing in Nashville, Tenn., was found alive after authorities said she “emerged” from an embankment along the Cumberland River.
The Metro Nashville Police Department said in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter) on Thursday, July 25, at 8:30 a.m. local time that authorities were searching the riverbank for Alexandria Chmiel, 33, who was visiting Nashville from New Jersey.
“She became separated from her friend at 3rd & Broadway before 2 a.m. & was reported missing at 3:42 a.m. She is last seen on downtown cameras at 1st & Woodland,” the department wrote.
Then, at 10:04 a.m. the same day, the MNPD shared another X post stating that Chmiel was located, featuring a photo of Chmiel, who appeared barefoot.
Nashville FD/x
A public safety drone captured the moments NFD personnel searched for a missing woman near downtown Nashville“Allie Chmiel has emerged from the riverbank and is talking with our [investigative] team,” the MNPD wrote.
In an email to PEOPLE on Friday, July 26, an MNPD spokesperson wrote that “detectives were on scene and spoke to [Chmiel]," noting that there was no foul play.
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"She did not sustain any serious injury and was taken to the hospital for evaluation,” the spokesperson added. “We are not patient information so we do not have her status update.”
MNPD said that Chmiel’s shoes were discovered along with drops of blood on the sidewalk, per NBC affiliate WSMV.
Related: Riley Strain’s Family Speaks Out Following His Death: 'Hug Your Babies Tight'
“Apparently she had made a phone call to her mom which made her mom believe she was in distress,” said Sgt. Bob Nielsen of the MNPD Cold Case Unit per WSMV.
Police were able to ping Chmiel’s phone with the help of Chmiel’s mother. As authorities were searching, an officer saw Chmiel coming out of the embankment.
“[The officer] observed her actually climbing up another part of the riverbank [right over here] and [she] appeared to be fine,” said Nielsen.
Nielsen said it was “truly a miracle” to find Chmiel, adding that, according to her, she didn’t know how she found herself in the river.
Related: Riley Strain’s Parents Accept His Diploma in Tears at Mizzou’s Graduation Ceremony
The Cumberland River is where the body of University of Missouri student Riley Strain was found on March 22. Strain was last seen on March 8 when he went missing while on a trip in Nashville with his fraternity brothers.
According to an autopsy report, the 22-year-old died by accidental drowning and ethanol intoxication. His blood alcohol content was measured at .228, about three times the legal limit to operate a vehicle.
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