Riley Strain search helmed by same rescue group that tried to find Cameron Robbins, who vanished in shark-infested waters
The search for a missing college student is being assisted by the same organization that tried to find Cameron Robbins, who vanished in shark-infested waters after jumping off a booze-cruise boat in the Caribbean.
The United Cajun Navy, a search-and-rescue nonprofit, announced Tuesday it’ll help with the mysterious case of Riley Strain, 22, a University of Missouri student last seen near the Cumberland River in Nashville on March 8.
“Our main focus is to find Riley,” David Flagg, national director for the United Cajun Navy, said Tuesday at a press conference with Strain’s family by his side.
“I would encourage any volunteers to please come under the umbrella of the United Cajun Navy Search.”
The organization responds to natural disasters and disappearances around the country, Flagg said.
One of the most notable recent missing persons cases they had worked on was trying to locate 18-year-old Robbins, last seen jumping off a cruise ship in the Bahamas on a dare in May 2023.
Video showed Robbins, who graduated from a Baton Rouge high school days before the trip, in the waters off Athol Island.
Before he disappeared under the surface, someone can be heard screaming, “This kid f–king jumped off! Oh my f–king God! Oh, shut the f–k up! Oh, bye-bye!”
The search tragically came to an end when rescuers were unable to find any traces of Robbins’ body after searching for two days.
“Had they found a piece of clothing or any kind of clue, that would cause them to extend that 48-hour period, but if they don’t get any kind of indication, then that’s usually when they call it off,” United Cajun Navy vice president Brian Trascher told outlet WBRZ.
“It took a lot of strength for them to go out there and stay for a few days,” Trascher said of the family, who had traveled to help with the search.
“When we offered to take them out in a boat to the area where he went overboard and some of the area they were searching … They went, which I know had to be very emotional for them, but they went.”
What to know about the mysterious disappearance and death of Riley Strain
- College student Riley Strain, 22, went missing after being kicked out of Luke’s 32 Bridge Food + Drink in Nashville on March 8, 2024. Strain told his University of Missouri fraternity brothers that he was going back to his hotel room, but never arrived or contacted his friends.
- Surveillance footage shows him walking toward the hotel before making a wrong turn. His cellphone last pinged about a mile from the bar. A video saw Strain jogging away from his hotel before his disappearance.
- According to the Luke Bryan-owned bar, Strain only purchased one alcoholic drink and two waters the night he went missing. The 22-year-old’s parents have claimed he was “overserved.”
- The student’s bank card was found days later on an embankment of the Cumberland River by two TikTokkers searching the area.
- A local homeless man allegedly saw a “very, very intoxicated” Strain almost fall over the edge of a trail into the river. Strain was also spotted by a police officer near the river, according to body camera footage.
- Strain’s body was found in the river on Saturday by workers clearing the river of debris. According to a preliminary autopsy, Strain’s death was “accidental.”
The United Cajun Navy’s involvement in Strain’s case came weeks after the 6-foot-7 student went missing while visiting Nashville with his Delta Chi fraternity pals.
He was reportedly booted from country superstar Luke Bryan’s bar, Luke’s 32 Bridge, for being too sloshed.
Police officers later found Strain’s bank card near the Cumberland River, and a homeless man claimed he saw him the night he disappeared, appearing “very, very intoxicated” and almost falling into the river.
Bodycam footage from Metro Nashville police also shows Strain near the river, interacting with a cop.
“How are you doing, sir?” Officer Young asks, while Strain replies he’s “good.”
The finance major then disappears from the frame.
Strain’s family said they’re still hoping the search team brings their son back safely.
“Our goal is to bring him home,” said the missing teen’s dad, Chris Whiteid.
“We still feel that is a very viable goal.”
