In a tragic update from northwest Indiana, authorities announced on Thursday that the body of a teenager who had been missing for several days was discovered.
Lake Station Police confirmed that Rodrigo Montes, an 18-year-old resident of Lake Station, was located at approximately 11:20 a.m. on Thursday. This discovery followed an intensive search effort.
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The body was recovered by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Dive Team, according to police reports.
Montes was last seen during a gathering on Sunday evening.
According to Montes’ family, the River Forest High School senior mentioned he would be getting a ride home from a friend early Monday morning.
Just hours after this, Lake Station police reported finding a truck submerged in the Deep River, near the intersection of 27th Avenue and Wyoming Street, shortly before 4:30 a.m. on Monday. It was believed that “a male subject” had been inside the vehicle.
The man’s family says the truck belonged to his friend.
The Lake County Coroner’s Office said it responded to the area of 29th Avenue and Wyoming Street in Lake Station to recover Montes’ body.
An autopsy is scheduled for Friday.
A suspect is in custody with charges pending, police said.
“The City of Lake Station extends its deepest condolences to the family members affected by this tragedy,” police said.
Montes’ family said they spoke with the man’s friend.
“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,” said Saul Montes, Rico’s brother.
Chopper 7 captured video of dive teams in the water as Montes’ family and friends conducted an hours-long search on the ground. A black pickup truck could be seen upside-down in the water.
Montes’ family was just starting to plan his high school graduation party.
“Rico’s been the baby of the family. He’s the littlest one,” Saul Montes said.
His family released a statement Thursday that said:
“We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our entire community for coming together with strength, support, and determination in the search for Rodrigo. Your prayers, shares, and efforts truly made a difference during such a difficult time. Today, March 26th, the Indiana State Dive Team was able to locate Rodrigo. While this is not the outcome we had hoped for, we are grateful that the family can now begin to find closure. Please continue to keep his loved ones in your thoughts and prayers as they navigate this unimaginable loss.”
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