Family, officials provide update on search for missing college student Riley Strain
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV/Gray News) – The family of Riley Strain and officials held a press conference Tuesday to provide an update on the search for the missing University of Missouri student.
Strain, who was in Nashville for a fraternity trip, went missing on March 8 after being kicked out of Luke’s 32 Bridge on Broadway. Strain’s missing person’s case has gained national attention as the search for him continues.
The family announced that the United Cajun Navy, a group of private citizens with boats, announced they plan to join the search for Strain. They also encouraged anyone who takes part in the search to join the formal search rather than going it alone because of safety concerns.
Authorities have searched both on land and in the river for him with no luck so far. One of the biggest leads in the case came Sunday when Strain’s bank card was found on an embankment off Cumberland River, near where his phone last pinged off a cellphone tower.
David Flagg, national director of operations for the United Cajun Navy, said the group will deploy an airboat and a hovercraft in the coming days to help search for Strain along the Cumberland River bank, where his phone last pinged off a cell tower and his bank card was found by two civilians.
Flagg said while the help from the public in the search has been welcomed, the search must become more organized and safer.
“Our main focus is to find Riley,” Flagg said. “Our secondary focus is to ensure the safety of the people out here searching.”
On Monday, the Metro Nashville Police Department released a previously unseen video of Strain interacting with an officer on the night of his disappearance. Police said the Missouri student did not seem distressed, while early video shows Strain stumbling and falling around downtown Nashville.
Authorities at the press conference said, despite rumors on social media, there’s no evidence of a crime committed.
While some have been critical of the response from local authorities, Metro Nashville Police Sergeant Robert Nielsen emphasized the department is doing all it can to find the 22-year-old.
Strain’s family said while it has been frustrating at times, they feel detectives are handling the search efforts well.
“We appreciate the outpouring of support,” Strain’s family said. “Our goal is still to bring Riley home. We feel that it is still a very viable goal.”
The Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission has launched an investigation to find out whether Strain was overserved alcohol on Broadway. Luke’s 32 Bridge claims Strain was served only one drink and two waters on the night he disappeared.
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