The search for 18-year-old Rodrigo “Rico” Montes has taken a troubling turn in northwest Indiana, as investigators examine a new and unsettling piece of evidence: blood discovered beneath an interstate overpass near the site where a vehicle linked to his disappearance was found submerged.
What began as a routine Sunday evening has now evolved into a multi-day search effort filled with uncertainty, hope, and growing concern for the missing high school senior.
Rico Montes, a student at River Forest High School in Hobart, was last heard from on the night of March 22, 2026. After attending a casual cookout with friends, he sent a message to his mother around 10 p.m., telling her he was heading home with a friend. When he failed to arrive by his 11 p.m. curfew, his family quickly grew worried and began reaching out to hospitals before contacting authorities.
The situation escalated early the following morning. At approximately 4:20 a.m. on March 23, police in nearby Lake Station responded to reports of a vehicle in the water near 27th Avenue and Wyoming Street. The vehicle—a black pickup truck believed to be the one Rico had entered—was discovered overturned and fully submerged in Deep River.
Emergency crews, including dive teams, drones, boats, and helicopters, were deployed to search the area. Initial assumptions suggested someone might still be inside the vehicle. However, when authorities inspected the submerged truck, no occupants were found.
Shortly after the discovery, the driver of the vehicle—a 17-year-old acquaintance of Rico—reportedly returned home and later appeared at the Montes family residence with his parents. According to family accounts, the teen claimed he had walked away from the crash and did not know Rico’s whereabouts. He was later taken for medical and mental health evaluation, reportedly suffering from injuries including a broken nose and visible bruising.
The driver’s account has raised questions among family members, who have expressed frustration over what they perceive as inconsistencies. They struggle to understand how Rico could have vanished without a trace, especially given the circumstances of the crash.
As search efforts continued over the following days, Rico’s family and volunteers joined law enforcement in combing the surrounding areas. It was during one of these searches that a significant discovery was made: what appeared to be blood beneath the I-80/94 overpass near Central Avenue, located just east of where the truck was found.
Authorities quickly secured the area and collected samples for forensic analysis. DNA testing is now underway to determine whether the blood belongs to Rico, the driver, or another individual. The results, which have not yet been released, could prove crucial in understanding what happened in the hours after the crash.
The discovery has intensified both the urgency of the investigation and the emotional strain on Rico’s family. His father has made public appeals for information, while his brothers have spoken about his character—describing him as kind, responsible, and deeply connected to those around him.
Rico, the youngest of four siblings, had been looking forward to graduating high school in the coming months. His family had already begun planning celebrations and discussing his future, which may have included entering the trades or pursuing a career in construction management.
Meanwhile, the community has rallied around the Montes family. Residents across Hobart, Lake Station, and the broader northwest Indiana region have shared Rico’s photo and information widely. Flyers describing him—last seen wearing a red hoodie, black jeans, and white-and-gold shoes—have appeared throughout the area.
Despite the grim developments, hope remains. The absence of a body in the submerged truck has left open the possibility that Rico may still be alive—perhaps injured or disoriented and in need of help.
At the same time, the discovery of blood near the overpass introduces a more troubling possibility: that Rico may have been seriously hurt after the crash, whether he was ejected from the vehicle or attempted to leave the scene on his own.
Investigators continue to follow all leads, urging anyone with information to come forward. The Lake Station Police Department has established contact channels for tips, while the family remains actively involved in search efforts.
As days pass, the case underscores how quickly an ordinary moment can turn into a crisis. A simple ride home has become a mystery marked by unanswered questions, conflicting accounts, and a community searching for clarity.
For Rico’s loved ones, the focus remains unwavering: finding him and bringing him home.