The family of Riley Strain spoke to the public on Tuesday, saying that the United Cajun Navy will assist in the search for the missing Missouri college student.
Chris Whiteid, the father of the student last seen near the Cumberland River in Nashville on March 8, said they were determined to bring the young man home safely.
“Our goal is still to bring Riley home. We feel that is still a very pliable goal,” Whiteid said.
Riley’s mother, Michelle Strain Whiteid added: “He’s my best friend, my everything.”
The family then turned the microphone over to David Flagg, the national director of operations for the United Cajun Navy.
Flagg urged volunteers to remain safe and coordinate with his team while they searched the river.
“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.”
Riley, a 6-foot-7 finance major, had been visiting Nashville with his fraternity brothers when he was allegedly kicked out of country star Luke Bryan’s honky-tonk bar, Luke’s 32 Bridge, for being too drunk.
Police later found his bank card on the embankment of the river. An extensive search of the water using boats, dogs and sonar has yet to yield any results.
Oddly enough, haunting bodycam footage from Nashville police may have recorded the last time Strain was seen alive.
The chance encounter shows Strain near the river — where his bank card was later found — as Officer Reginald Young responds to a burglary call on Nashville’s Gay Street at 9:50 p.m.
“How are you doing, sir,” Officer Young asks the student.
“I’m good, how are you,” Strain replies as he exits the frame.
Strain did not appear distressed during the interaction with the officer.
A homeless man told Fox17 during an interview Sunday that he saw Strain on the night he vanished, describing the student as “very, very intoxicated,” and claimed he nearly fell into the river as he staggered.
Metro Nashville Police have previously stated that they don’t suspect foul play at this point.
Strain’s parents attempted to place the blame on the bar, claiming a bartender “overserved” their son. However, Luke’s 32 Bridge said it only served him one alcoholic beverage and two waters while he was there.