Probe into whether missing student was over-served by bar before he vanished

15 March 2024 , 08:36

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Tennessee officials are probing whether Riley Strain was over-served alcohol

Authorities are investigating whether a bar over-served a student while he was visibly drunk before he disappeared after getting kicked out.

A frantic search was sparked for University of Missouri student Riley Strain, who went missing last Friday night, March 8, after getting kicked out of a popular bar owned by country singer Luke Bryan in Nashville, Tennessee. The investigation is now focusing on whether the 22-year-old was over-served alcohol at Luke's 32 Bridge Food + Drink before he vanished.

Riley was in the city for a spring formal with his fraternity. At around 9:45pm he was asked to leave the bar and was escorted out of the establishment, telling his friends he would return to his hotel. However, he never made it back.

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Security footage shows Strain appearing disoriented shortly before his disappearance

Security footage captured Riley crossing a street near the bar at 9:47pm appearing disoriented and stumbling. His stepfather, Chris Whiteid, said: "The boys called him, and he said, 'I’m walking back to my hotel'. They didn’t think anything about it."

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The student's mother, Michelle Whiteid said: "I just need to know where my son is. We talk every day, multiple times a day. This is the longest I’ve ever gone without talking to him. It’s devastating. I just want to find him and hug him."

Strain vanished after being asked to leave Luke Bryan's Nashville bar (WZTV)

The 22-year-old was visiting with his fraternity for a spring formal (WZTV)

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Aaron Rummage, the communications director for the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission, told NBC News that they are probing whether Riley was served alcohol while visibly intoxicated, which would constitute a violation of state law. "We are investigating whether Mr. Strain was served alcohol while he was visibly intoxicated," he confirmed.

Tennessee doesn't have rules on escorting an intoxicated person out of a bar, but state law does forbid "serving alcoholic beverages to someone who is visibly intoxicated.” Rummage said that if a violation is confirmed, it would be a class A misdemeanour.

Ground and air searches have yielded no significant leads in Strain's whereabouts (MNDP)

Luke's 32 Bridge has said it will cooperate with authorities investigating the case. Meanwhile, Luke Bryan shared a message in an Instagram story. He wrote: "Y’all this is scary. Praying for his safe return."

Riley's family has travelled from Springfield, Missouri, to join the search efforts. No significant leads have come up so far despite ground and air searches, along with scouring riverbanks. Police believe that there is no indication of foul play at this stage.

An online fundraiser has been set up to support Strain's family (News Channel 5)

The community has rallied behind the Strain family, with an online fundraiser set up to support them in their time of need. The organiser, a family friend, says that Riley's family "are living their worst nightmare." The fundraiser has so far gathered over $40,000 (£31,400).

Riley has been described by police as 6-foot-5 with a thin build, blue eyes and light brown hair - although his family says he is 6-foot-7. The Metropolitan Nashville Police urge anyone with information on Riley's whereabouts to contact them immediately at (615)-862-8600.

Vassia Barba