The search for missing University of Missouri college student Riley Strain continues after his bank card was found near the Cumberland River on Sunday afternoon, according to the Metro Nashville Police Department.
In a post on the department’s social media page, police stated that “Riley Strain’s bank card was discovered this afternoon on the embankment between Gay St. and the Cumberland River. The search for him continues.”
Strain, a senior at the University of Missouri, was last seen around 10 p.m. on March 8 walking along Gay Street after a night of drinking at country singer Luke Bryan’s bar on Broadway Street, according to both his family and the Metro Nashville Police Department.
According to reports from local Fox 17 Nashville, Strain was visiting Nashville with his fraternity brothers for a spring formal trip. Strain was reportedly kicked out of the bar on the evening of March 8 after staff felt he had too much to drink. He told his friends he would walk back to their hotel, Tempo by Hilton, which is about five blocks from Luke’s 32 Bridge.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, the TC Restaurant Group, which manages Luke’s 32 Bridge, stated that they were cooperating with police in the search and were providing detailed accounts of Strain’s interactions in their establishment.
“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,” the group said.
Despite a body being reported to be floating down the Cumberland River on Sunday afternoon, officials from the Nashville Fire Department told Fox 17 that the body does not match Strain’s description.
Authorities are asking anyone with information about Riley’s disappearance to call 615-862-8600.
The last known activity from Strain’s phone was a ping between 10 and 10:30 p.m. in the area of Public Square Park, located near the sheriff’s office and the Cumberland River, according to reports.
According to a report from Fox 17 Nashville, Strain’s family has been holding out hope for his safe return, with his aunt telling media outlets that “we keep saying ‘when’ in our home. We are believers. Want the best outcome.”
The University of Missouri also released a statement on its website urging anyone with information to come forward.
“Our community is incredibly concerned about the whereabouts of our Mizzou Tiger and student Riley Strain,” the statement reads. “We are urging anyone with any information to please come forward. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Strain family and we are hoping for a safe return.”
