It’s been over a week since the 22-year-old college student Riley Strain went missing after leaving Luke Bryan’s downtown bar.
This is a heartbreaking story; with every update, the pit grows within your stomach. Riley Strain was kicked out of Luke Bryan’s bar after being in town for a fraternity event. When the boy’s frat brothers called him when he was removed from the establishment, he told them he would just head back to their hotel, which was only a few blocks from the bar.
However, video surveillance footage has been recovered showing Strain in parking lots and crossing the street at intersections in the opposite direction. His phone was last pinged near the Davidson County Court House.
Strain’s family quickly made the trip to Nashville after receiving the call that he was missing to help search efforts and bring Riley home. After what seemed like dead ends after dead ends, the first real piece of evidence since his disappearance was found when two citizens discovered his debit card near a steep bank at the Cumberland River.
With search efforts still in full swing, Riley’s parents said during a recent interview how thankful they are to have the support of the Nashville community in trying to locate Riley.
“We’re still, you know, actively planning to bring Riley home with us.”
Chris Whiteid, Strain’s stepfather, told NBC News in an interview.
“We’ve had some really good volunteer organizations that have reached out to us, helped us.”
While in their darkest moments are parents hoping that they find their son, they have found comfort in the help that Nashville has given them. From volunteer organizations to individuals and the police department, those stepping up to the plate have “restored our faith in people.”
This is a situation that no parent wishes to be in, but Strain’s family also notes that they are finding some comfort in being in the city where their beloved son was last seen.
“It’s hard to be away from home, but we wouldn’t be anywhere else… as comforting as it can be.”
Strain’s stepfather added that although time has passed since the initial report filing, they remain hopeful that Riley will be found.
“We’re very hopeful and we’re moving forward as, you know, he’s coming home and we’re graduating in May and life goes on just as normal.”
Strain’s dad, stepmom, stepsister, stepbrother, and family friends are in Nashville to help look for him. We continue to send our thoughts to his family and hope that Riley Strain is found.
