TIMELINE: The disappearance of Missouri student Riley Strain, what we know so far
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — For nearly a week, there have been no signs of 22-year-old University of Missouri student Riley Strain.
Strain was in Nashville for a fraternity event and was last seen around 10 p.m. on Friday, March 8 after being kicked out of Luke Bryan’s bar on Broadway.
Below is a timeline of the events confirmed so far by law enforcement and Strain’s family.
Friday, March 8
Strain and his fraternity brothers from Mizzou come to Nashville for a fraternity event. They were reportedly staying at the Tempo Hotel downtown.
Strain went to Luke’s 32 Bridge on Broadway Friday night, where records show he purchased and was served one alcoholic drink and two waters. Strain’s mother, Michelle Whiteid, said she FaceTimed with him just a few hours before he went missing.
At 9:35 p.m.: Strain was kicked out of the bar. In a statement, the TC Restaurant Group, which owns and operates the bar, said its security team “made a decision based on our conduct standards to escort him from the venue through our Broadway exit at the front of our building.”
He was followed down the stairs with one of his friends, according to the bar. However, his friend reportedly did not exit and returned upstairs.
Around 9:45 p.m.: Surveillance video from Downtown Smoke & Vape Shop on Church Street caught Riley stumbling and falling in a parking lot at 3rd Avenue and Church Street.
At 9:47 p.m.: Surveillance video caught Strain crossing 1st Avenue North to Gay Street.
Between 9:55 p.m. and 10 p.m.: Strain’s last phone ping was near James Robertson Parkway and Gay Street. Detectives said the last phone conversation Strain had with one of his friends was also during that same time period.
VIDEO: Retracing Riley Strain’s steps in downtown Nashville
According to police, the phone ping covered about a two-mile radius and didn’t give them a direction of travel or any more detailed information about where Strain might have gone.
Saturday, March 9
At 1:46 p.m.: Strain’s friend called 911 after saying he went to the Central Police Precinct and called the sheriff’s office to file a missing person’s report.
Strain’s family also received a call from his fraternity brothers, alerting them that they had not seen or heard from him since Friday night. Strain’s parents said they drove to Nashville from Springfield, Missouri, as soon as they got the call.
Monday, March 11
At 2:11 p.m.: The Metro Nashville Police Department posted on X, saying it is still working to locate Strain and asking the public for tips.
Strain’s family and friends spoke to News 2, calling this their “worst nightmare.” His stepfather, Chris Whiteid, said Strain had been on the same trip before with no issues and would normally talk to his family three or four times a day.
‘We need him back’: Parents search for missing University of Missouri senior in Nashville
“He’s my baby,” Michelle said with tears in her eyes. “Please, if you know anything, please, please, call the police. Please.”
Tuesday, March 12
Strain’s family joined authorities in a search along the Cumberland River, which was less than half a mile from where his phone last pinged. However, nothing was found.
Benton McDonough, the director of the Mayor’s Office of Nightlife, released the following statement urging visitors to be mindful of their surroundings and to “know your limits when it comes to alcohol intake.”
As the Director of Nightlife, let me begin by saying that our thoughts and prayers are with Riley Strain and his family during this difficult time. Nashville is a great city with a vibrant nightlife and we want visitors to have a great and memorable time, but we also want them to be mindful of their surroundings. We would remind visitors to know your limits when it comes to alcohol intake, always travel in groups, and be sure you have a plan in place for returning to your hotel, whether that be by cab or rideshare. While we have plenty of officers stationed in and around the Entertainment District, it is imperative that you do not let your guard down at any point and always have a plan to take care of yourself. If you do find yourself in trouble, you should not hesitate to ask any establishment staff or police officer for help.
Benton McDonough, director of the Mayor’s Office of Nightlife
Family friends asking rideshare drivers to help with search for Riley Strain
The TC Restaurant Group, operator and owner of Bryan’s bar, also released a statement updating the public on its involvement in the search for Strain.
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. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones for his safe return.
TC Restaurant Group
Wednesday, March 13
Strain’s parents told News 2 they have seen limited surveillance footage from the night he went missing and that they have asked Bryan for help. The Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) also announces that it has opened an investigation into the matter.
Nashville police looking into ‘dozens’ of tips regarding missing Missouri student
Nashville’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) groups searched the riverbank area using sonar equipment, still finding nothing.
A vigil was held Wednesday night in Strain’s hometown of Springfield, Missouri, to pray for his safe return.
Thursday, March 14
The MNPD’s Urban Search and Rescue team continued searching the area around Strain’s last known location near the Cumberland River. During a news conference held Thursday afternoon, police said they were also speaking with people living in nearby homeless encampments.
At the time, investigators said there had been no indication of foul play nor that Strain was involved in any type of fight or argument.
Police were still working to obtain all of Strain’s phone records on Thursday. However, they also said there has been no evidence of him getting in a cab or using a rideshare service.
Friday, March 15
The TC Restaurant Group released a statement providing more details on the investigation and what happened the night Strain was kicked out of Bryan’s bar.
In our effort to help the Nashville Metro Police Department’s Missing Persons investigation of Riley Strain, we proactively provided detailed information quickly after his visit to our business on March 8. This information included all security camera footage, photos of Riley at our establishment with detailed time stamps, transaction records, and staff accounts. Additionally, we proactively engaged in communication with the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission and will continue to communicate and provide any records needed to aid their ongoing investigation.
During Riley’s visit to Luke’s 32 Bridge, our records show he purchased and was served one alcoholic drink and two waters. At 9:35 p.m., our security team made a decision based on our conduct standards to escort him from the venue through our Broadway exit at the front of our building. He was followed down the stairs with one member of his party. The individual with Riley did not exit and returned upstairs.
Our prayers continue to be with Riley’s friends and family during this difficult time and for his safe return.
TC Restaurant Group
Riley Strain Continuing Coverage | The latest in the search for the missing Missouri student
Strain is 6-feet, 5-inches tall, with a slender build, blonde hair, and blue eyes, according to his family. If you see Strain or have any information about where he may be, you are asked to call the MNPD at 615-862-8600.
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