University of Missouri student Riley Strain missing in Nashville, family desperate for information

Riley Strain, 22, was last seen Friday night.

March 12, 2024, 3:07 PM

The family of a University of Missouri student is desperate for information after the 22-year-old went missing while visiting Nashville, according to authorities.

Riley Strain, was last seen by friends at 9:52 p.m. Friday after drinking downtown at a bar on Gay Street in the city's Broadway area, Nashville police said.

In two undated photos provided by the Metro Nashville Police Department, Riley Strain, 22, is shown.
@MNPDNashville/X

The group was in Nashville for their fraternity formal, his family said.

"He was excited 'cause he was out, and he was sending me pictures at the different bars they were going to. And he was having fun with his fraternity brothers," his mom, Michelle Whiteid, told ABC News.

"Riley is a very fun-loving, charismatic kid," she said.

Detectives have combed the streets, and a Nashville police helicopter on Monday searched the downtown area, including the riverbank, police said.

On Tuesday, police released new video showing Strain at 9:47 p.m. Friday.

Strain's parents and stepparents have been in Nashville for days helping with the search.

"He’s a good kid. He was down here looking forward to a fun weekend," Strain's dad, Ryan Gilbert, told ABC News. "We want to bring him back home safe."

Strain is a senior majoring in business and interdisciplinary studies, according to the University of Missouri.

"The university has been in touch with the family and authorities in Nashville who are working to find Strain," the university said in a statement on Monday.

"The safety of our community is our highest priority," Angela King Taylor, interim vice chancellor for Student Affairs, added. "Our thoughts are with Riley’s family as the search continues. We will be offering any support to them that we can, and we encourage anyone who needs help to reach out to our counseling resources."

Strain is 6 feet, 5 inches tall and has blue eyes and light brown hair, police said. Anyone who sees him is asked to call Nashville police at 615-862-8600.