‘Bring Riley home’: Family of missing student, Cajun Navy to organize search party
Strain, 22, has been missing since March 8.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – The family of Riley Strain is frustrated with the ongoing Metro Police search effort for the University of Missouri student and is calling in its own group to help search for the 22-year-old.
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.
Nashville authorities have searched on land and in the river without finding anything themselves. Over the weekend, the first and only piece of physical evidence of the disappearance was found by two TikTok influencers.
That’s why the family reached out to the United Cajun Navy, a disaster response organization made up of volunteers, said David Flagg, the organization’s national director of operations. The non-profit was formed after Hurricane Katrina to provide search and rescue resources after natural disasters and in missing persons cases.
Flagg 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 phone 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.”
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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 Mizzou student did not seem distressed, while earlier video shows Strain stumbling and falling around downtown Nashville.
At the press conference Tuesday, MNPD Sgt. Robert Nielsen said speculation about whether Strain was being chased or followed by someone on the night of his disappearance was dispelled by the video released by police. Nielsen said while investigators continue to follow up on tips, authorities maintain there have been no indications of foul play.
While some have been critical of the response from local authorities, Nielsen emphasized that MNPD is doing all it can to find the 22-year-old. Local authorities plan to search along the river again Tuesday afternoon.
Both police and the United Cajun Navy said people should not search along the riverbanks on their own. They described the area as very steep with lots of dangerous trash and other debris that could harm someone.
“We feel that we need the extra resources to come in and help us as we get more organized for our family,” Strain’s stepfather Chris Whiteid said. “To see if we can’t bring some more clues to light.”
Aside from the search along the Cumberland River, the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission has launched its own 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. The TABC initially declined to comment when asked if any other Broadway bars are being investigated but later issued a statement.
“The TABC is continuing to investigate whether any violation of state alcohol law occurred regarding Riley Strain on March 8, 2024. The TABC has worked with local law enforcement to determine where he was served alcohol that night,” the statement said. ”All licensed establishments questioned have been cooperative. The final report will be made public once the investigation has been closed.”
Strain’s family thanked the public for its support since Strain has been missing.
“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.”
Flagg said anyone who wants to volunteer alongside the Cajun Navy should contact them through the group’s website.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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