The disappearance of 18-year-old Rodrigo “Rico” Montes, a senior at River Forest High School in Hobart, Indiana, has taken a haunting turn. Authorities and family members discovered what appeared to be blood near the I-80/94 overpass in Lake Station — a location close to where his truck was found overturned and submerged in Deep River. DNA testing is now underway on the blood evidence, raising hopes for answers while deepening the agony for a family still clinging to Rico’s final message: “See you soon.”
Rico was last seen in the early morning hours of March 23, 2026, after leaving a cookout with friends. He told family he was getting a ride home and needed to be back by 11 p.m. When he didn’t arrive, his loved ones grew increasingly worried and began contacting hospitals and police. A relative who is a deputy stumbled upon the crash scene around 4 a.m. while searching overnight and called it in.
The pickup truck believed to have been carrying Rico was found submerged in Deep River near 27th Avenue and Wyoming Street in Lake Station. The vehicle was overturned in the water, prompting an extensive search operation involving dive teams from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and local first responders.
The Blood Discovery Near the Overpass
Family members, searching with flashlights at the scene, reported finding what they believed to be blood under the I-80/94 overpass near Central Avenue — just east of the main crash site. This chilling detail has added a new layer of mystery and urgency to the case. Police have collected the samples for DNA analysis to determine if they belong to Rico or someone else involved.
As of late March 2026, the investigation was still active with Rico listed as missing. However, reports indicated that a suspect — believed to be the driver of the truck — had been taken into custody or evaluated after the incident. The driver reportedly told family he did not know where Rico was following the crash and was later subjected to a mental health evaluation. Charges were said to be pending as authorities pieced together the sequence of events.
A Beloved Teen Remembered
Those who knew Rico described him as a “very nice, very caring” young man who was well-liked at school and in the community. He was a high school senior looking forward to the future, with friends and family highlighting his kind personality and close bonds with loved ones. His mother and other relatives have spoken publicly about the agonizing uncertainty, holding onto his last words as a thread of hope amid the fear.
Community vigils and searches have drawn support from Lake Station, Hobart, and surrounding northwest Indiana areas. Prayer gatherings and searches along the river and nearby roads reflected the outpouring of concern for the missing teen.
What Really Happened? The Investigation Continues
Key questions remain at the heart of the case:
- What caused the truck to leave the road and end up in Deep River?
- Was the blood found near the overpass related to the crash, or does it point to something that happened before or after the vehicle entered the water?
- Did Rico exit the truck before it submerged, or was he inside when it went into the river?
The DNR dive team and local authorities conducted a lengthy underwater search. As developments unfolded, the discovery of the body was later confirmed in some reports, bringing a tragic end to the search for many, though the full circumstances surrounding the crash and any potential foul play continue to be examined.
The family has faced unimaginable pain, balancing hope with the fear that the blood evidence could confirm their worst nightmare. Rico’s final message — “See you soon” — has become a poignant reminder of the ordinary night that turned into a community-wide tragedy.
As DNA results from the blood samples are processed and the investigation deepens, authorities urge anyone with information about Rico’s movements that night or details about the driver and passengers to come forward. The Lake Station Police Department and Indiana State Police are leading the probe, with support from the coroner’s office.
This case has shaken the tight-knit northwest Indiana community, highlighting the dangers of late-night drives and the fragility of young lives. For Rico’s mother and family, every update brings a mix of dread and desperate hope as they wait for the truth to fully emerge from the river and the evidence left behind.
Support and counseling resources have been made available for the family and community. Anyone with tips is asked to contact local police immediately.
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