Campus Safety Capstone Project

On Friday, March 8th, a college student from Mizzou named Riley Strain went missing after he left a bar in Nashville, TN. Strain was in town for spring break with his fraternity. At 9:45 pm, he was asked to leave the bar. That is when he and his friends became separated. One of the other boys called Strain on his phone. Strain texted back and said he was going to the hotel. Hours passed and no one had heard from Strain. All his calls went straight to voicemail. His Snapchat location was turned off. The next day, the fraternity brothers filed a missing person report on Strain. Three days later, a surveillance video was released that showed Strain stumbling after his departure from the bar. Authorities began investigating whether or not Strain was served too much alcohol at the bar. State law prohibits a bar from serving alcohol to someone who is visibly intoxicated. On March 17th, Riley Strain’s bank card was found near the Cumberland River. On March 22nd, Strain’s body was found in the Cumberland River in West Nashville. 

Instances like these should never happen, but unfortunately, they do. College students can follow certain safety precautions to help prevent a similar occurrence. 

Sergeant Cody Windbigler, PIO/Social Media/Training Coordinator for the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Office said that individuals in a public setting should listen to their instincts, because they are often right. If a friend is behaving unusually, these are signs that should always be taken seriously. 

“Plan ahead and stay prepared. When socializing, stick together as a group and establish backup plans in case of emergencies. Ensure everyone has essential items and contact information readily available, especially in unfamiliar or risky situations,” Windbigler said.

Young people should choose wisely when it comes to what personal information they put on social media. It is recommended to accept friend requests from accounts that you know and trust. 

“Take control of your online presence. Before sharing personal details, consider the potential consequences. Avoid broadcasting your every move on social media, as it could compromise your safety,” Windbigler said. 

Drew St. John is the Fire Marshall for the Cape Girardeau Fire Department. He said that sometimes in group settings, one person may wander off and go unnoticed for an hour or two.

“I always say if you’re going out, make sure you watch your drink. If you are gonna go out and have a good time, it is probably not a good idea to go around the rivers [if you are] impaired,” St. John said. 

For more information on campus safety, visit SEMO’s website Department of Public Safety | SEMO.