The search for the missing college student is being sponsored by the same group that tried to find Cameron Robbins, who went missing in shark-infested waters after jumping off a drunken cruise ship in the Caribbean.
United Cajun Navy, a search and rescue nonprofit, said Tuesday it will assist in the mysterious case of Riley Strain, a 22-year-old University of Missouri student who was last seen near the Cumberland River in Nashville on March 8. Announced.
“Our main focus is finding Riley,” David Flagg, national director of the United Cajun Navy, said at a news conference Tuesday alongside Strain’s family.
“We encourage all volunteers to become part of the United Cajun Naval Search Team.”
Flagg said the organization responds to natural disasters and missing persons cases across the country.
One of the most notable recent missing persons cases they have worked on was the search for 18-year-old Robbins, who was last seen jumping off a cruise ship in the Bahamas in May 2023.
The video showed Robbins, who graduated from Baton Rouge High School just days before the trip, in the waters off Athol Island.
Before it disappeared below the surface, I heard someone scream. “This kid jumped!” Oh my god! Oh, shut up! Oh, bye-bye, bye-bye! ”
After searching for two days, rescuers found no trace of Robbins’ body and the search ended tragically.
“If clothing or any other clues were found, the 48-hour period would be extended, but if no signs were found, it would normally be called off at that point,” the Cajun Coalition Navy said.Vice President Brian Trasher told outlet WBRZ.
“It took a lot of strength for them to get out there and stay there for several days,” Trasher said of the family who had traveled to help with the search.
“When we offered to get them on a boat and take them to the area where he fell into the sea and some of the areas they were searching… they went. I know it was emotional, but they’re gone.”
What you need to know about the mysterious disappearance of Riley Strain:
The United Cajun Navy’s involvement in Strain’s case comes weeks after the 6-foot-7 student went missing while visiting Nashville with fellow members of his Delta Chi fraternity.
He was reportedly fired from country superstar Luke Bryan’s bar, Luke’s 32 Bridge, because he was sloshing too much.
Police later found Strain’s bank card near the Cumberland River, and a homeless man claimed to have seen Strain “very, very drunk” and nearly fall into the river on the night she disappeared. did.
Metro Nashville Police Department body camera footage also shows Strain interacting with officers near the river.
“How are you doing, doctor?” Officer Young asks, and Strain replies, “I’m fine.”
The finance major then disappears from the screen.
Strain’s family said they remain hopeful that search teams can bring their son home safely.
“Our goal is to bring him home,” said Chris Whyid, the missing boy’s father.
“We still feel that’s a very achievable goal.”
