EXCLUSIVE: A DISTURBING TRAIL FOUND HIDDEN UNDER THE OVERPASS… Refusing to sit idle, Rico’s desperate family armed themselves with flashlights and took the search into their own hands. What they found near the I-80/94 overpass sent a dark chill through the entire community.

In the quiet suburbs of Northwest Indiana, an 18-year-old high school senior named Rodrigo “Rico” Montes was supposed to walk through the front door of his family’s home after a casual Sunday night cookout with friends. Instead, his final message to his mother — a simple, reassuring text that read, “Mom, I’m riding home with friend, see you soon” — became the last words his family would hear from him. What followed was a frantic search, a submerged truck in the murky waters of Deep River, and a growing sense of dread that has gripped the close-knit communities of Hobart and Lake Station. As of March 26, 2026, Rico remains missing, his fate unknown despite intensive efforts by police, dive teams, and desperate loved ones.

Rico Montes was the kind of young man who made an impression without trying. A senior at River Forest High School in Hobart, Indiana, he was described by those who knew him best as “very nice, very caring” — someone who always looked out for others. The baby of the family and the youngest of four sons, Rico had big plans ahead. His brother Moises recalled recent conversations about life after graduation: whether to pursue construction management or join the trades through Local 150. The family had even begun planning his high school graduation party, a celebration that now feels heartbreakingly out of reach. At 5 feet 7 inches tall and 150 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes, Rico carried himself with the quiet confidence of a teenager on the cusp of adulthood. On the night he vanished, he was last seen wearing a red hoodie, black jeans, and white-and-gold shoes — clothes that offered no protection against the cold waters of Deep River.

The evening of Sunday, March 22, 2026, had started like any other weekend gathering. Rico attended a cookout at a friend’s house in the area. He was in good spirits, surrounded by people he trusted. Around 10 p.m., he let his family know he had a ride home. That text to his mother — “Mom, I’m riding home with friend, see you soon” — was straightforward, the kind of casual reassurance parents expect from responsible teens. His curfew was 11 p.m. When he didn’t walk through the door, worry quickly turned to alarm. After midnight, the Montes family began calling hospitals and contacted police. They had no reason to suspect foul play at first — Rico wasn’t the type to disappear without a word. But as hours ticked by without any sign of him, the family’s worst fears began to take shape.

Early Monday morning, around 4:20 a.m. on March 23, Lake Station police responded to a report of a vehicle in the water. A black pickup truck — the very one Rico had reportedly climbed into as a passenger — was found overturned and fully submerged in Deep River near the intersection of 27th Avenue and Wyoming Street. The location is just a short drive from where the cookout had taken place, in an area familiar to local teens. An on-duty deputy, who is engaged to marry into the Montes family, had been out searching overnight and stumbled upon the crash scene. He called it in immediately. Authorities believed a male subject was inside the vehicle and launched a large-scale search and rescue operation involving multiple agencies, including the Hobart Fire Department’s dive and drone teams. Helicopters hovered overhead, canines sniffed along the riverbanks, and ground teams scoured the area. Family members joined in, flashlights in hand, refusing to wait passively for news.

The discovery of the truck only deepened the mystery. No one was found inside the submerged vehicle. Divers worked under difficult conditions — strong currents, low visibility, and the challenges of a river that connects to the larger Little Calumet system. By Tuesday, March 24, and continuing into Wednesday, March 25, searches expanded to include helicopters, boats, and foot patrols. Blood was reportedly spotted under the I-80/94 overpass near Central Avenue, east of the crash site, adding another layer of urgency and unanswered questions. Police set up a command center nearby, but updates from authorities have been limited. Lake Station police have confirmed the investigation remains active and have urged anyone with information to email [email protected].

What happened in those critical hours between Rico’s last text and the truck’s discovery has left his family reeling. The driver of the pickup — a 17-year-old friend — later showed up at the Montes family home around 4:45 a.m. with his own parents. According to family accounts, the young driver claimed he didn’t know where Rico was, stated that he had walked home after the crash, and denied any involvement in the accident. He was taken for a mental health evaluation. Reports from family members suggest the friend sustained injuries, including a broken nose and bruises, yet he has reportedly been reluctant to speak directly with Rico’s relatives. Saul Montes, one of Rico’s older brothers, expressed frustration and disbelief: “The vehicle was submerged and he supposedly walked home. He didn’t tell anybody about the accident. And now, he’s denying that he’s ever been involved.” Another brother, Adolfo, captured the family’s raw pain: “All we know is he was at a cookout. He was going to go home, and he never made it back.”

The Montes family has spoken publicly through tears and pleas for help. Rico’s father broke down in front of cameras, begging anyone with knowledge to come forward. “He could be anywhere,” Saul told reporters. “He could be walking somewhere. He could be in the water. He could be out unconscious. We just want to know where he’s at.” Amanda Herrera, a family friend, echoed the sentiment shared by many: “Somebody knows something, and they’re not saying anything. And time is of the essence.” The family’s desperation is palpable. They have organized their own search parties, combed the riverbanks, and turned to social media and community groups to spread Rico’s photo and description. In a region where everyone seems to know someone who knows the Montes family, the outpouring of support has been overwhelming — yet answers remain elusive.

Rico’s personality shines through in every story shared by those who love him. He wasn’t just a missing teen statistic; he was the thoughtful younger brother who looked out for his friends, the high school senior full of hope for the future, and the son whose text messages brought comfort to his mother. His girlfriend, Mila Soto, received a concerned call from Rico’s mother late that Sunday night asking if she had heard from him. The silence since then has been agonizing. Community members at River Forest High School and beyond have rallied, posting flyers and sharing updates. Local news outlets have kept the story prominent, with SkyCam footage showing dive teams in the water and the upside-down truck being recovered.

As the search enters its fourth day, questions linger. How did the truck end up in Deep River? Was it an accident caused by speed, distraction, or unfamiliar roads in the dark? Why did the driver’s account seem inconsistent with the family’s expectations? Authorities have not released details about the truck’s condition beyond it being overturned and submerged, nor have they confirmed whether the friend is considered a person of interest. The Lake County Coroner’s Office has reported no deaths linked to the incident so far, offering a sliver of hope that Rico may still be alive somewhere — perhaps injured, disoriented, or in need of help.

The Montes family clings to that hope. They describe Rico as someone who would never abandon a friend in trouble. “If it was the other way around I know he wouldn’t have left his friend,” Moises said. “He’s very nice, very caring and he always looked out for others.” In the face of uncertainty, they continue searching, refusing to give up. Neighbors, classmates, and strangers have joined volunteer efforts, scanning wooded areas and riverbanks. Tips have trickled in, but none have led to Rico yet.

This case highlights the vulnerabilities faced by young people navigating late-night drives and the devastating ripple effects when one life goes missing. For the Montes family, every passing hour without news feels like an eternity. The graduation party they planned now stands as a painful reminder of what might have been. As dive teams and investigators press on, the community holds its breath, united in a single plea: bring Rico home.

Anyone with information about Rodrigo “Rico” Montes is urged to contact the Lake Station Police Department at [email protected] or reach out to the family directly at 219-716-1225. In the meantime, the search continues — a testament to one family’s love and an entire community’s determination not to let Rico be forgotten.