“WE JUST WANT TO KNOW WHERE HE IS”: The desperate search for missing 18-year-old high school senior Rodrigo “Rico” Montes has taken a devastating turn after he told his family he was getting a ride home with a friend.n
In a devastating development that has shattered a close-knit Indiana family, the search for missing 18-year-old high school senior Rodrigo “Rico” Montes has taken a tragic and mysterious turn after a truck belonging to his friend was discovered overturned and fully submerged in the Deep River (also referred to as the Little Calumet River) in Lake Station, Indiana.
Rico, described by loved ones as a vibrant, kind-hearted teenager with his whole life ahead of him, had texted or told his family on Sunday night, March 22, 2026, that he was getting a ride home from a gathering with a friend. He never made it back.
Hours later, Lake Station police and emergency crews were called to a terrifying scene: a truck — confirmed by the family to belong to Rico’s friend — found flipped over and underwater in the river, not far from the family’s home.
Yet as of the latest reports, Rico himself remains missing, with frantic searches continuing along the riverbanks and in surrounding areas. His brother has spoken movingly of the family’s anguish: “We just, we just want to know where he’s at.”
This is the heartbreaking story of an ordinary Sunday night that turned into a family’s worst nightmare — a popular teen who simply wanted a safe ride home, a submerged vehicle that has raised more questions than answers, and a desperate search for answers in the cold waters of northwest Indiana.
The ordinary night that ended in terror
Rodrigo “Rico” Montes was a typical 18-year-old high school senior living in Lake Station, a small city in Lake County, northwest Indiana, not far from the shores of Lake Michigan. Like many teens his age, he enjoyed spending time with friends, attending gatherings, and looking forward to the next chapter of his life after graduation.
On Sunday evening, March 22, 2026, Rico was out with friends at a gathering. At some point during the night, he contacted his family to let them know he had arranged a ride home with a friend — a message that should have brought reassurance to his worried parents.
He never arrived.
When Rico failed to return home, his family grew increasingly alarmed. They reached out to the friend he was supposedly riding with, but the responses only deepened the mystery. According to family accounts shared with local media, the friend claimed Rico had supposedly “walked home” after the truck incident — a claim that made little sense given the circumstances.
By Monday, March 23, Lake Station police were actively involved. Divers and search teams were deployed to the Deep River after reports of a vehicle in the water.
What they found was chilling: a truck, overturned and completely submerged in the river. The vehicle was later confirmed by Rico’s family to belong to the friend who was supposed to give him a lift.
The discovery sparked an immediate and intensive search operation involving Lake Station police, firefighters, dive teams, and even assistance from neighbouring departments. Sonar equipment and underwater cameras were used to scan the murky waters, while ground teams combed the riverbanks and nearby areas for any sign of Rico.
As days passed with no trace of the teenager, the family’s pain became unbearable.
“We just want to know where he’s at” — Family’s desperate plea
Rico’s brother spoke publicly in emotional interviews, his voice cracking with exhaustion and fear as he appealed for information.
“We just, we just want to know where he’s at,” he told reporters, summing up the family’s raw desperation in the simplest and most human terms.
The Montes family has described Rico as a loving, responsible young man who would never intentionally cause them worry. He was a high school senior with plans for the future — possibly college, a trade, or simply stepping into adulthood surrounded by the support of his tight-knit family.
Friends and classmates have also come forward, sharing memories of a popular, friendly teen who was always quick with a smile or a helping hand. Photos circulated on social media show a bright-eyed young man full of life, posing with family or enjoying everyday teenage moments.
A GoFundMe or community support page was quickly established to assist the family with search efforts and expenses, with donations and messages of support pouring in from across northwest Indiana and beyond.
One relative told local media that the family was holding onto hope but preparing for the worst as the search continued without success.
The submerged truck: What we know so far
Details about the truck itself remain limited as the investigation is ongoing, but key facts have emerged:
The vehicle belonged to Rico’s friend.
It was found overturned and submerged in the Deep River / Little Calumet River in Lake Station.
The location is relatively close to the family’s home, raising questions about how the truck ended up in the water and why Rico never made it the short remaining distance.
No immediate reports of injuries to the driver (the friend) have been widely confirmed, and the friend has reportedly spoken to both family and police.
Authorities have not ruled out foul play, mechanical failure, driver error due to weather or road conditions, or other possibilities.
Lake Station police have been tight-lipped on specifics, citing the active missing persons investigation, but they have confirmed they are treating the case with the utmost urgency.
Divers have faced challenging conditions in the river — cold water, currents, and poor visibility — making the search both physically demanding and emotionally draining for first responders.
As of the latest updates in late March 2026, Rico had not been located despite extensive efforts. The family has pleaded for anyone with information to come forward immediately.
Questions that refuse to go away
The circumstances surrounding Rico’s disappearance have left many in the community and online scratching their heads and demanding answers:
If Rico was getting a ride home, why did the truck end up in the river?
Did the friend drop him off somewhere else, or did something happen en route?
Why would the friend claim Rico “walked home” if the truck had crashed into the water?
Were there any signs of impairment, speeding, or mechanical issues with the vehicle?
Could foul play or a third party be involved?
While police have not publicly declared the case suspicious in the criminal sense, the family and many observers have expressed growing concern that the full story has yet to emerge.
Neighbours in Lake Station have described the area around the river as one that can be treacherous at night, especially if visibility is poor or if a driver is unfamiliar with the roads.
Some locals have drawn parallels to other tragic vehicle-into-water incidents in the region, where swift currents and steep banks have made rescues difficult.
A community rallies around a missing teen
Lake Station and the wider northwest Indiana region have come together in support of the Montes family. Vigils, prayer gatherings, and volunteer search parties have been organised. Yellow ribbons and “Find Rico” signs have appeared on lampposts and in shop windows.
Local media, including television stations in nearby Gary and Chicago, have kept the story in the spotlight, appealing for tips from the public.
High school officials where Rico was a senior have offered counselling to students and staff affected by the disappearance, acknowledging the profound impact on the tight-knit school community.
Rico’s friends have taken to social media to share photos and memories, creating digital tributes that serve as both a plea for his safe return and a celebration of his life.
The emotional toll on a family in limbo
For Rico’s parents, siblings, and extended family, the days since March 22 have been an agonising blur of hope, fear, and sleepless nights.
Every ring of the phone brings a rush of anticipation followed by crushing disappointment. Every update from police is scrutinised for the smallest clue.
The brother’s simple plea — “We just want to know where he’s at” — has resonated deeply with parents across America who understand the primal terror of not knowing if their child is safe.
As the search continues, the family has asked for privacy while also urging the public to share any information, no matter how small it may seem.
They have also thanked first responders and volunteers for their tireless efforts in difficult conditions.
What happens next? The search goes on
As this story develops, Lake Station police and dive teams continue their efforts to locate Rico. Additional resources from state and federal agencies may be brought in if the search stretches longer.
The friend whose truck was recovered has reportedly been cooperating with authorities, though no charges or further details have been released.
Forensic examination of the vehicle once it is recovered from the water could provide crucial clues about the sequence of events that night.
The Montes family continues to hold onto hope that Rico will be found safe, even as the passage of time makes that outcome increasingly difficult to imagine.
In the meantime, a community holds its breath and a family clings to love and faith while waiting for answers that may change their lives forever.
Rodrigo “Rico” Montes was an 18-year-old with dreams, friends, and a bright future.
His family just wants him home — or at the very least, to know the truth of what happened on that fateful Sunday night when a simple ride home turned into a mystery that has gripped northwest Indiana.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Lake Station Police Department immediately.
The search for Rico continues.
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