NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The search for Riley Strain has continued into Tuesday as his family, friends and police are trying to locate him.
Strain, 22, is a senior at the University of Missouri. He was visiting downtown Nashville for a weekend getaway. His friends last saw him on March 8 after they were kicked out of Luke Bryan's bar at 301 Broadway. His friend Brayden said he lost sight of him after they got kicked out and began looking for him.
On Tuesday, volunteer divers went into the Cumberland and people from EMA are searching along the riverbank for Riley.
He is 6'5'' with blue eyes and blonde hair. He was last seen wearing a black and brown button-up shirt with a black chest pocket, blue jeans, brown boots and a black Apple watch.
"TC Restaurant Group, operator and owner of Luke’s 32 Bridge, is continuing to work closely with the Metro Nashville Police Department to provide security camera footage and any other potentially helpful information to aid in the search for Riley Strain," a spokesperson with the group said. "Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones for his safe return."
Michelle Whiteid, Riley's mom, is heartbroken going on night three without her son. Hear her talk about him in the player above.
"I just need to know where my son is. We talk every day, multiple times a day, this is the longest I’ve ever gone without talking to him. It's devastating. I just want to find him and hug him," she said through tears.
Officials said Brayden attempted to find Riley using Snapchat locations but could not see him in the area last reported by Snapchat. They called Riley multiple times, but it always went to voicemail.
Riley's parents drove seven hours into town from Springfield, Missouri, when they found out about the incident. They gave the police as much information as possible to help find him.
Police said Riley's phone last pinged about 0.64 miles southwest of a cell tower located at 19 Oldham Street.
However, police said they drove around this area and could not find Riley.
A bolo has been issued, and police have told Riley's parents about next steps. Riley's parents and friends are still on the lookout for him after his disappearance.
"He's such a great kid, such a great kid, he's supposed to graduate Mizzou in May," Michelle said. "We love you so much —so much— and we are all looking for you. All of us."
If you see him, please call 615-862-8600.
We now have footage of Riley when he was last seen walking across Church Street, then later crossing 1st Avenue, looking as though he is not able to walk in a straight line. Watch the footage below.
This is a developing story. We will update you as soon as we have more information.
My friend and colleague Carrie Sharp had a lot of fun last week, on an adventure to a country more than three thousand miles away! She’s back now – sharing her Adventures in Iceland through stories, and incredible images of this remarkably beautiful and unique island nation (kudos to Chief Photographer Catherine Steward)! But did you know Nashville has something very important in common with Iceland? Tourism! Here, Carrie explains how a volcanic eruption decades ago helped save the country’s economy from collapse!
-Rhori Johnston
