New evidence has come to light in the case of missing college student Riley Strain more than a week after he disappeared during a trip to Nashville.
Strain’s bank card was found Sunday afternoon “on an embankment between Gay St. and the Cumberland River,” according to a post on X of Metro Nashville Police Department.
The two women, Anna Clemdening and Brandy Baenen, were picking through trash along the riverbank when they found Strain’s bank card among “pieces of clothing, shoes, bottles, cans” and more, according to NBC affiliate WSMV-TV.
“I don’t actually know how we found it,” Clemdening told the paper. “I’d like to say just dumb luck divine intervention – it just stood there.”
Baenen added: “Something had to be found. We found something. I don’t know if that’s enough.”
Luke Bryan is ‘praying for the safe return’ of a missing man who was last seen at his Nashville bar
Strain “was last seen on camera on the Gay St Connector at 9:52 PM local time on March 8, according to police.
Authorities have yet to find any conclusive evidence in the Cumberland River, FOX affiliate WZTV reported. No foul play is still suspected in Strain’s disappearance.
A body was found in the Cumberland River on Sunday, but the Nashville Fire Department said the person found in the water did not match Strain’s description, according to WSMV-TV and ABC affiliate WKRN-TV.
Police did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for updates on Monday.
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Surveillance footage from the night of Strain’s disappearance showed the University of Missouri student staggering down the road on March 8, the same night he was asked to leave Luke Bryan’s 32 Bridge Food + Drink restaurant and bar.
There is no video of Strain after 10 p.m. on March 8, nor was there any activity on his cell phone, WZTV reported.
The Tennessee Liquor Commission is investigating whether Strain had been drinking excessively before he disappeared.
Riley Strain.
Christopher Whiteid
In a statement shared with PEOPLE on Friday afternoon, TC Restaurant Group, which oversees Bryan’s establishment, said it provided the information to assist authorities.
“During Riley’s visit to 32 Luke’s Bridge, our records indicate that he purchased and was served one alcoholic beverage and two waters,” the statement said. “At 9:35 p.m. our security team made the decision based on our standards of conduct to escort him from the scene through our Broadway exit in front of our building. He was followed down the stairs with a member of his party. The individual with Riley did not exit and returned upstairs.”
A statement from TC Restaurant Group concluded: “Our prayers continue to be with Riley’s friends and family during this difficult time and for his safe return.”
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Riley Strain.
Christopher Whiteid
Christopher Whiteid, Strain’s stepfather, recently told PEOPLE that his stepson is traveling with his Delta Chi fraternity brothers to Nashville as part of their annual gala. He is grateful for the attention the case has received and hopes Strain will be found soon.
“We’re looking for you. We’re not leaving until we have you. We’ll be with you at graduation… and everything will be fine,” Whiteid said. “We’ll get you. We know you’re out there.”
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Source: HIS Education