A college student on a school break went missing after visiting Luke Bryan’s 32 Bridge Bar in Music City. Now, Luke has spoken out about the disappearance.
Country Now reported on March 12th that Riley Strain, a 22-year-old student at the University of Missouri, went missing on Friday evening, March 8th. Sources alleged that Riley got “kicked out” of Luke’s bar on Broadway and has not been seen since.
Luke posted a white-on-black message on his Instagram, beginning in capital letters: “Y’all, this is scary. I’m praying for his safe return.”
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On March 11th, the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) posted two alerts about Riley on the X social media platform. Nashville PD wrote that Riley was last located at “9:52 p.m. on Friday,” when he was seen downtown on Gay Street “after drinking.”
Nashville PD confirmed that an MNPD helicopter had searched the area on March 11th. MNPD detectives had also completed a ground search, but the alert noted it was to “no avail.” However, MNPD confirmed that the investigation into Riley’s whereabouts was still “active.”
The second MNPD alert confirmed that Riley is visiting from Missouri. Riley is described as 6 feet 5 inches tall with “a thin build, blue eyes and light brown hair.” But Riley’s stepfather told a media outlet that Riley is 6 foot 7 inches tall.
Riley Was Officially Reported Missing on March 9th
WSMV Channel 4 in Nashville reported on March 12th that Riley’s college friends called 911 for assistance after he’d been missing for 16 hours. WSMV confirmed with local emergency services that the call was placed at about 1:40 p.m. on Saturday, March 9th. Riley was officially reported missing following that call.
Channel 4 also obtained the audio of the 911 phone call. One of Riley’s friends told the 911 dispatcher, “We’re here on a fraternity formal trip.” The friend added that Riley was “one of his good buddies.”
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Nashville PD released a video to social media before noon on March 12th. It was taken from a traffic camera at the intersection of Gay Street and 1st Avenue North in the downtown core. MNPD stated that the video showed Riley “wearing a 2-tone shirt” and crossing 1st Ave to Gay Street “right to left” at 9:47 p.m. on March 8th.
MNPD wrote, “Have info about him?” and included a hotline number for anyone with further information about Riley’s whereabouts. WSMV Channel 4 interviewed Riley’s mother and stepfather on March 11th and updated their report the following day.
Michelle Whiteid and Chris Whiteid are Riley’s mom and stepdad. They told WSMV that they are “facing their worst nightmare.” Michelle added, “It’s so hard. I just need to know where my son is.”
Chris told Channel 4 that Riley’s group had taken a bus to Nashville, and he had taken the same trip before. Riley’s friends told Michelle and Chris that Riley was allegedly heading back to their hotel after he got kicked out of 32 Bridge.
This Is the Longest Riley’s Mom Has Gone Without Talking to Him
After Riley got separated from his friends who remained in the bar, his friends allegedly called him. Riley said, “I’m walking back to the hotel.” That hotel is the Tempo Hotel, located six blocks away from the bar.
When Riley’s friends returned to the Tempo, his room key was inside, but Riley was missing. They allegedly tried to call Riley again, but “his phone was dead.”
Riley’s friends claimed they searched for him “for hours” and checked his SnapChat locations. At first, they thought he might have gone to sleep in one of the 30 rooms booked at the hotel by their fraternity group. After checking every room, Riley was still missing.
At this point, Riley’s friends called Michelle and Chris. Channel 4 said Riley’s parents “jumped into their car and drove straight from Springfield, Missouri to Nashville.” Michelle told Channel 4 that she’s always talked to Riley “every day, multiple times a day,” and added, “This is the longest I’ve ever gone without talking to him.”
Luke’s Instagram message included a statement the TC Restaurant organization released earlier. TC owns and operates the 32 Bridge Bar, to which Luke sold his branding rights.
The statement read: “TC Restaurant Group, operator, and owner of Luke’s 32 Bridge is continuing to work closely with the Metro Nashville Police Department to provide security camera footage and any other potentially helpful information to aid in the search for Riley Strain. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones for his safe return.”
Michelle also said to WSMV, “Oh God, bud, we love you so much, and we’re all looking for you, all of us. If anybody knows anything, please, just call the police.”
