NewsNation

Riley Strain search: Family hopes Apple Watch helps find Mizzou student

Editor’s note: The latest update on Riley Strain.

(NewsNation) — Riley Strain, a 22-year-old student at the University of Missouri, was last seen Friday night in Nashville, where he was attending a fraternity conference. His family now hopes his Apple Watch could help searchers find him.


Newly released surveillance video shows some of the last times Strain was seen after being kicked out of country music star Luke Bryan’s bar for being overserved.

Strain told his friends he was going back to their hotel, but a ping on his phone showed he went in the opposite direction.

Nashville police told NewsNation they have applied for a search warrant to get access to digital footprints, including cellphone data, bank statements and Apple Watch information. They hope to have access to those details later Wednesday afternoon.

In the meantime, detectives are reviewing all the information they have currently, including surveillance video showing moments after Strain was kicked out of the bar. He’s seen stumbling through downtown Nashville, seeming disoriented and confused.

NewsNation also obtained a recording of the 911 call Strain’s friends made the night he vanished.

“We’re here on a fraternity trip; it’s one of my good buddies,” the caller tells 911.

Police have been searching Nashville, including using boats on the Cumberland River, searching the banks along with the private investigation team hired by Strain’s family.

Strain’s family is distraught over his disappearance, telling “Morning in America’s” Markie Martin that he actually FaceTimed with her an hour before he was kicked out of the bar.

“He was sending me texts after we FaceTimed, saying, ‘Mama love you, have a good night’ and sending me pictures from the different bars they were going to to show me they were having a good time,” said Michelle Whiteid.

The family is asking anyone with information to come forward and contact the Nashville police. Strain is 6 feet, 7 inches tall and thin, with blond hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing boots, jeans and a two-tone shirt.