The search is continuing in Nashville, Tenessee, for missing student Riley Strain, who seemingly vanished without a trace on Friday evening while out with friends in the city’s busy downtown Broadway thoroughfare.
The authorities and relatives have spent the last few days searching the area downtown and around the riverbank where he was last spotted. They have combed through all side streets, garages, and hospitals using helicopters and state-of-the-art search tools but sadly have failed to find any sign of the 22-year-old.
Yesterday, the Nashville Emergency Operations Center deployed two boats equipped with sonar to search along the Cumberland River.
The University of Missouri student had traveled to the city for a night out and spent time drinking at country singer Luke Bryan’s bar, Luke’s 32 Bridge.
Riley was asked to leave the bar shortly before 10 p.m. The barman reportedly admitted that the student was overserved.
He was last seen walking across an intersection at 1st Ave N to Gay St. The Metro Nashville PD released surveillance footage of Riley as he appeared to stumble across the road. The student seemed slightly confused about which direction he wanted to walk.
Riley’s friends attempted to find him using his Snapchat location but were unable to do so. They tried calling him multiple times, but his cell phone went straight to the mailbox.
Watch the Latest on our YouTube ChannelParents of missing student Riley Strain are desperate to bring him home
His pals then contacted his parents, mother, Michelle, and stepfather, Chris Whiteid who both then drove from Springfield, Missouri, to Nashville to look for their son.
Chris Whiteid told reporters yesterday that his stepson has “got a big personality and doesn’t really know a stranger. He can walk up and talk to anybody.” The Whiteids stressed that they just wanted to find him and bring him home; they implored anyone with any information to come forward.
His parents said Riley normally speaks to his mother about three or four times a day, and it is highly unusual for him to go for so long without communicating. Michelle Whiteid said of her only son, “He’s my baby.”
In the meantime, the family is waiting for a court to grant them access to their son’s bank card transactions and his Apple Watch to gather more evidence about his whereabouts.
Description of missing University of Missouri student Riley Strain
Riley is described as 6’5″ to 6’7″ tall, with a thin build weighing about 160 Lbs, blue eyes, and light brown hair.
He was wearing a two-tone black and cream collared T-shirt when he vanished, as seen in the surveillance footage.
The MNPD has asked anyone with any information to please call 615-862-8600 immediately.