MU students reflect on importance of ‘buddy system’ following disappearance of Riley Strain
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Ten days after MU student Riley Strain went missing, University of Missouri students continue to reflect.
MU senior Jack Copeland said the situation has been eye-opening for him, especially knowing Strain's disappearance comes after he was in a large group.
"I guess it's been eye-opening in the way that this can happen to someone who seems like they're in a frat, in a group where they have people that should kind of like care for them," Copeland said. "Knowing that someone like that can still go through this horrible situation, yeah it definitely makes me feel more conscious."
Strain was reportedly on a trip with his fraternity Delta Chi in Nashville. He was kicked out of a bar called Luke's Bridge 32 just before 10 p.m. March 8.
The bar issued a statement on the Friday, stating he was escorted out of the bar based on "conduct standards." The statement also states Strain was followed downstairs by a member of his party," but that person returned upstairs and did not leave the bar.
Video released by the Nashville Police Department on Monday shows the last known encounter of Strain. He can be seen walking by a police officer and briefly speaking with him.
MU junior Rachel Sander said hearing the events that transpired that night makes she and her friends ponder the importance of using "the buddy system." Although, she said it's something she said she has always found herself using.
"I think like just girls as a community, it's kind of wired into your brain, you know keep an eye on people at all times," Sander said. "You kind of just have to keep that in the back of your mind, you know to hold yourself accountable for taking care of others."
Surveillance video from businesses in the area show Strain walking around the city before he disappeared.
In multiple videos, Strain appears to be stumbling and disoriented. In one video, he falls down at one point after running and appears to be holding his head. Students pointed out the fact that Strain walked by multiple people who didn't stop to help and said it's made them cognizant of looking out for others.
"Things are a wake up call to when you're out drinking," Sander said. "Even seeing someone you don't know just like, you know taking them in, taking care of other people because it can be really unsafe."
Police and volunteers have continued looking via land and in the Cumberland River for Strain.
Nashville police said Sunday that his bank card was found near an embankment between Gay Street and the Cumberland River. Police also said Monday that a body that a body was discovered floating in the river.
However, autopsy results showed that the unidentified individual was possibly Hispanic and was wearing a maroon shirt, a description that did not fit Strain's.
