In Nashville, Riley Strain's family remains hopeful: 'Goal is still to bring Riley home'
The family of Riley Strain asked the United Cajun Navy to assist with the search for the University of Missouri student who went missing earlier this month after getting thrown out of a Broadway bar.
Chris Whiteid, Strain's stepfather, said Tuesday afternoon his family is grateful for the help they have received thus far from local police and volunteers, but added that more is needed.
"Our goal is still to bring Riley home," Whiteid said as Strain's mother, Michelle Strain Whiteid, clutched her husband's arm during the news conference at Public Square Park.
"He's my best friend, my everything," Strain Whiteid uttered later before turning away from the microphone.
Strain, 22, on a trip with fraternity brothers, was last spotted March 8 when he was kicked out of Luke's 32 Bridge — a Broadway bar owned by singer-songwriter Luke Bryan.
David Flagg, the national director of operations for the United Cajun Navy, said while his volunteer organization largely responds to natural disasters, it has been known to support missing persons cases.
"Our main focus is to find Riley," Flagg said. "I would encourage any volunteers to please come under the umbrella of the United Cajun Navy search."
Whiteid is equally hopeful.
"We feel like Dave and his team and the volunteers that he knows are very skilled and will help bring him home for us," Whiteid added.
More: Riley Strain search enters second week: The latest on the missing Missouri student
When did Riley Strain's friends notify police?
Strain's friends notified police when he did not return to their hotel from the night out.
Video surveillance located Strain several times around downtown after leaving the bar. Metro Nashville Police released video of him crossing 1st Avenue North to Gay Street, which runs along the Cumberland River. About 11 seconds into the 44-second clip, Strain, wearing a split color, black and tan button down, moved into frame from the right side.
Strain stumbled several times in the video clip before he seemed to second guess his direction and ultimately continued on to Gay Street.
Riley Strain's interaction with Nashville police
Strain was also viewed on an officer's body camera. While responding to a burglary report on Gay Street, an officer briefly spoke with Strain. The college student walked and spoke to the officer without difficulty.
"How you doing, sir," the officer said to Strain.
"I'm good, how are you," he responded.
Police have not discovered additional video evidence to suggest Strain left the area of Gay Street.
The Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission launched an investigation into claims Strain was overserved. TC Restaurant Group, which operates Luke's 32 Bridge, said Strain was served one alcoholic beverage and two glasses of water before he was expelled for poor behavior.
Rescue crews first turned their attention to the Cumberland River in the search for Strain. Those efforts have since been pulled back to focus on the downtown path Strain may have trekked. During that effort, Strain's bank card, police said, was discovered on an embankment between Gay Street and the Cumberland River.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: In Nashville, Riley Strain's family is still hopeful he will be found
