Editor’s note: The latest update on Riley Strain.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — As the search continues for missing University of Missouri student Riley Strain, the United Cajun Navy is stepping in to help organize volunteer-led efforts.
The nonprofit organization has been involved in the search since March 9, when Strain was reported missing by his friends after a night out in Nashville. However, not everyone might be familiar with the organization.
David Flagg, the national director of operations for the United Cajun Navy, was in Nashville Tuesday for a press conference announcing the additional search efforts. According to Flagg, the all-volunteer organization was created when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005.
“We had just a bunch of good old boys that had boats and took it upon themselves to go out into the waters of New Orleans and start rescuing people, taking them supplies,” Flagg said.
The organization has since grown into a massive team of volunteers who provide relief efforts and organize search and rescue teams during natural disasters. Flagg said volunteers have been deployed to almost “every major disaster” since Hurricane Katrina.
Volunteers recently assisted after the wildfires in Maui and currently are working to help those affected by wildfires in Texas. Some of their disaster relief also includes providing generators, medical supplies and meals to people who need them.
However, Flagg said the United Cajun Navy’s work is not limited to natural disasters. The organization also regularly gets involved in missing persons cases by deploying boats, drones and dogs for search and rescue missions.
The nonprofit became involved in the search for Strain after being contacted by his family, Flagg explained. Now, more than a week after his disappearance he said the United Cajun Navy has been asked to “step up and provide some more resources to this search activity.”
According to Flagg, the United Cajun Navy also has a “cooperative” relationship with the Metro Nashville Police Department, which is continuing search efforts.
“We’re not under their command. They’re not under our command. However, we do defer to them first,” he said. “We don’t take any significant actions without checking with Detective Chandler first.”
Anyone who wants to participate in the ground searches for Strain is asked to come prepared with sturdy shoes and rubber gloves as there will likely be lots of debris in some of the areas along the riverbank where officials plan to continue looking.
Those interested can reach out to the United Cajun Navy through Facebook or by sending an email to info@unitedcajunnavy.org.
Strain is 6-feet, 5-inches tall, with a slender build, blonde hair, and blue eyes, according to his family. If you see Strain or have any information about where he may be, you are asked to call the MNPD at 615-862-8600.