Riley Strain’s Disappearance Sparks Painful Memories for Jessie Ross’ Family

KANSAS CITY, Mo. Keeps Searching for Answers

Almost 20 years have passed since the disappearance of Jesse Ross, a University of Missouri-Kansas City sophomore, who vanished while on a school trip in Chicago. The recent disappearance of Riley Strain, a 22-year-old Mizzou student, has stirred difficult memories for his family.

A Painful Memory

For Jesse Ross’ parents, Don and Donna, it feels unimaginable. They last saw their son in November 2006 when he attended a Model United Nations conference in Chicago along with 1,200 other students. “He was just excited and thrilled,” says Don, remembering Jesse’s enthusiasm for the trip and his passion for politics and music.

During the conference on November 21, the 19-year-old took a break and was never to be seen again. Jesse’s parents were notified with a troubling phone call from one of the trip’s sponsors, the start of a nightmare that has not yet ended. The Chicago Police Department initiated an immediate investigation, but minimal surveillance camera footage and lack of activity on Jesse’s credit cards and phone records led them no closer to his whereabouts.

Unsolved Mysteries

Police conjecture had Jesse drinking with other students, straying too close to the Chicago River, and ultimately falling in. Yet, his body was never found. “I think the reason they liked that is because if he went into the river, it’s not really a crime and there’s really not all that pressure on them.” says Donna. The Ross family, however, has other theories. Donna believes Jesse, who had brought music mixes to the conference with a dream of connecting with others over his passion, may have encountered danger in doing so.

Never Stop Remembering

Jessie’s parents have found solace and advice through support groups for families of missing persons. As they continue to cope, they share their struggle with others living the same nightmare. The recent disappearance of Riley Strain brought them painfully close to reliving their own loss. “It is like a re-run,” reflects Don. “We have had this, but now here it is again.”

Lessons From Pain

Donna pleads with the community, “Try not to go out by yourself. You know, go in twos. Be aware of your surroundings.” From their own painful experience, they urge Strain’s parents to be proactive, reach out, find resources, and crucially, to take care of their mental well-being. “Hold on to those memories. Hold on to that person,” encourages Don. “You will never give up or forget about them.”

Their story serves as a reminder that pain shared is pain lessened, that being proactive is crucial and that only through remembering can we truly keep our missing loved ones alive.