In the early hours of March 23, 2026, 18-year-old high school senior Rodrigo “Rico” Montes made one final, heartbreaking attempt to reach his family. As police divers searched the murky waters of Deep River in Lake Station, Indiana, they recovered his cellphone from the riverbed — the device still trying to transmit his location when the signal finally died at 3:57 a.m.

That timestamp now stands as the last known moment of Rico’s life. Earlier that night, around 1:28 a.m., he had sent his mother a simple text: “Mom, I’m riding home with a friend, see you soon.” He had been at a casual cookout with friends and asked for a ride instead of driving himself. He never made it home.

The black pickup truck he was riding in was later found overturned and partially submerged in Deep River near 27th Avenue and Wyoming Street — less than a mile from the Montes family home. Rico was not inside when the vehicle was first located. His family reported him missing when he failed to return by his expected time. For several agonizing days, search teams from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Dive Team, local police, and community volunteers combed the area.

On March 26, the search ended in tragedy when Rico’s body was recovered from the river. A suspect — the driver of the truck — was taken into custody. According to family statements, the driver had left the scene, sought medical treatment for minor injuries, and gave conflicting accounts before going silent.

The discovery of the phone added a devastating new layer to the story. Forensic examination showed the device was actively attempting to send a location pin to his family’s phones when the signal was lost at 3:57 a.m. That single detail has left the Montes family and the entire community in tears — a young man fighting until his very last seconds to let his loved ones know exactly where he was.

Rico Montes was remembered as the beloved “baby” of a large, close-knit family. A senior at River Forest High School in Hobart, he was an athlete who wrestled, loved spending time with friends, and was eagerly looking forward to graduation. His brother Saul Montes described him as someone who brought joy to everyone around him. His girlfriend Mila Soto and countless friends shared emotional tributes, calling him kind, energetic, and full of life.

The final text and the failed location attempt have become symbols of the tragedy. A simple “see you soon” that turned into a permanent goodbye. A desperate ping for help that never reached its destination. The phone, now evidence in the ongoing investigation, paints a picture of a terrified teenager doing everything he could in his final moments to be found.

Investigators continue to examine the circumstances of the crash. Questions remain about what caused the truck to overturn into the river, why Rico ended up in the water, and the driver’s actions after the incident. The suspect is in custody, but full details have not yet been released to the public.

The Montes family has asked for privacy while expressing gratitude for the outpouring of support from the northwest Indiana community. They are now faced with planning a funeral and a graduation party that will carry a far heavier meaning than anyone imagined just days ago.

This heartbreaking case has sparked widespread conversations about teen safety, the dangers of late-night rides with friends, and the importance of open communication between parents and teenagers. Many are urging young people to always share their location in real time and to think twice before getting into a vehicle with someone who has been drinking or driving recklessly.

For the family, the recovered phone is both a painful reminder and a final connection to Rico. It shows he never stopped trying to come home — even as the water rose and the signal faded.

Rodrigo “Rico” Montes will be remembered not for how his life ended in Deep River, but for the love, laughter, and light he brought to everyone who knew him. His last text and his final, unfinished attempt to send his location will forever echo as the desperate cry of a son who just wanted to make it back to his mother.

One innocent request for a ride home. One final text. One phone still trying to ping for help at 3:57 a.m. And a family left with nothing but silence where “see you soon” should have been.