Riley Strain’s phone had power, ‘did not die’: Family friend

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

(NewsNation) — A close friend of missing Mizzou student Riley Strain‘s family said the 22-year old’s phone had battery power when it went dark, contradicting initial assumptions.

“That is something that we have been able to find and verify. Riley did have battery power at the time his phone went dark. What we have been told is the phone did not die due to battery capacity,” Chris Dingman said during a Tuesday interview on NewsNation’s “Elizabeth Vargas Reports.”

The University of Missouri college senior vanished March 8 after reportedly being removed from a downtown bar where he had been partying with some of his fraternity brothers. Authorities have been scrambling to retrace his steps in a bid to unravel the circumstances of his disappearance.

The search efforts received a boost from the United Cajun Navy, a national disaster response operation. The organization is deploying hovercraft and airboats to scour the river for any sign of Strain.

“I don’t know why it took so long to get the initial investigation started,” Dingman said. Despite efforts to involve other agencies such as the FBI and TBI, assistance has been contingent upon Nashville police’s involvement.

Surveillance video captured him heading toward the Cumberland River, appearing confused and stumbling. His last known interaction was with a police officer before his phone powered off minutes later.

Additionally, Dingman disclosed that Strain’s removal from the bar was not due to confrontations but rather a conversation with an employee.

“There was no argument … Riley was actually trying to do a good deed,” Dingman said. “They felt like, you know, maybe he had had enough.”

On Sunday, Strain’s bank card was discovered on the embankment of the Cumberland River, according to a statement from Metro Nashville police.

Despite efforts by Nashville police and frustrations expressed by Strain’s family, including his stepfather Chris Whiteid and mother Michelle Whiteid, the search for him continues.

“It’s hard as a parent … we are frustrated,” Chris Whiteid said during a news conference. Michelle Whiteid tearfully spoke of the devastation felt by Strain’s fraternity brothers, who did not accompany him when he left the bar.

“The boys, I mean, they’re heartbroken also. I mean, he’s their best friend. And we love these boys like our own. And it’s just as hard on them as it is on us,” Michelle Whiteid said.