The search for missing University of Missouri student Riley Strain has expanded to the Cheatham Dam in Ashland City, as authorities continue their efforts to locate the 22-year-old who disappeared in Nashville on March 8. The Cheatham County Sheriff's Office confirmed that it had been in contact with the Metro Nashville Police Department, which requested a search from the county line to the Cheatham Dam, where the Cumberland River runs through.
Strain, a finance major, was visiting Nashville with his Delta Chi fraternity brothers for an annual event when he vanished after being kicked out of country star Luke Bryan's honky-tonk bar, Luke's 32 Bridge, for being too drunk. Despite the bar's claims that they only served Strain one alcoholic drink and two waters, his parents have alleged that the bartender "overserved" their son.
As the search for Strain continues, a significant development occurred when two TikTok users, @nobodyleftbehind13 and @annaclendening, discovered the missing student's credit card while livestreaming their search efforts near Gay Street and the Cumberland River. The area where the card was found is in close proximity to the last known location of Strain's phone.
Chris Dingman, a family friend and spokesperson for the Strain family, confirmed the authenticity of the credit card discovery. "We did get a great lead yesterday from a TikTok dynamic duo that we are sincerely appreciative of," Dingman said. "And we're appreciative of everybody that's been out there searching and trying to bring Riley home."
The TikTok users, who immediately took down their broadcast and reached out to the family after making the discovery, also found a second card that appeared to be a common access card with the name Caden on it, though its connection to the case remains unclear. Dingman praised the young ladies for their approach and kindness in handling the situation.
While the credit card discovery has left Strain's family with "a thousand more questions than answers," they remain grateful for the efforts of the TikTok users and all those who have been involved in the search. The family held a press conference on Tuesday, requesting additional resources to aid in the search for their son.
"With everything that's gone on in the past few days ... we feel that we need the extra resources to come in and help us as we try to get more organized for our family and see if we can bring some more clues to light," Strain's stepfather, Chris Whiteid, said during the press conference.
David Flagg, national director of operations for the United Cajun Navy, announced that the group has been assisting with the search and will provide a hovercraft and a pilot to run on the Cumberland River. This additional support comes as authorities continue to search for Strain using boats, K9s, and sonar along the riverfront, although these efforts have not yet provided any substantial leads.
Surveillance footage last captured the 6-foot-7 student near the Cumberland River, staggering in the opposite direction of his hotel after being kicked out of the bar. Strain was seen walking up First Avenue, but his trail stopped there, with no further surveillance footage or cellphone activity recorded beyond that point.
As of Wednesday morning, the Cheatham County Sheriff's Office reported that nothing had been found in the search at the Cheatham Dam. Metro Nashville Police have stated that foul play is not suspected at this point in the investigation.
The disappearance of Riley Strain has garnered significant attention, with the family, authorities, and concerned citizens working together to find the missing college student. The ongoing search efforts, bolstered by the recent credit card discovery and the request for additional resources, demonstrate the commitment to bringing Strain home safely.
