Authorities and community volunteers have shifted their focus in the search for Riley Strain, the 22-year-old University of Missouri student who went missing almost two weeks ago in Nashville. Initially, efforts were concentrated on the section of the Cumberland River downtown. However, the attention has now turned to a dam located miles away from that area. The search continues as they hope to find any clues or information that could lead to Riley’s whereabouts.
The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department recently released a captivating video taken from their helicopter, soaring above the Cheatham Dam, located approximately 40 miles from downtown Nashville.
The police department provided an update on the ongoing search for Riley Strain, stating that their helicopters are actively flying over the Cumberland River. In a social media post accompanied by a video, they mentioned that the Nashville police, who have been leading the investigation, are now collaborating with the Cheatham County Sheriff’s Office for downriver operations.
According to a report by CBS affiliate WTVF, law enforcement officials collaborated to close the dam temporarily and conduct an inspection for any potential debris. However, they did not discover any evidence related to the search for Strain.
“The director of operations for the United Cajun Navy, David Flagg, speculates that Riley may have accidentally fallen into the river and been carried away by the strong current. According to Flagg, the current on the day of his disappearance was exceptionally swift.”
The search for Strain has been conducted by crews on the ground, in boats, and from the air.
On the night of March 8, Strain was last spotted being asked to leave a bar in downtown Nashville. Shortly after that, he had a brief encounter with a Nashville police officer while walking along a street near the Cumberland River. It was more than a week later when two members of the community stumbled upon Strain’s debit card on the riverbank, close to the spot where he and the officer had exchanged greetings on the night he disappeared.
After finding the debit card, the search efforts took a new direction as the United Cajun Navy rallied individual community volunteers. In support of Strain’s case, the organization has provided airboats and a hovercraft.
The parents of the college student, Michelle Whiteid and Chris Whiteid, have been in Nashville since the search began. Chris Whiteid, Strain’s stepfather, expressed to ABC News on Wednesday that their family is beginning to prepare for the worst outcome as more time goes by.
“We want you to empathize with us. It’s a sentiment that’s shared by everyone and on everyone’s mind,” expressed Whiteid. “These discussions are beginning to take place, and it’s not the outcome we desire.”
