A devastating turn has emerged in the case of 18-year-old Rodrigo “Rico” Montes.

Authorities have reportedly found blood near the I-80/94 overpass, believed to be linked to him, with DNA testing now underway to confirm. As the investigation continues, Rico’s mother remains in agonizing limbo — holding onto the last message he sent: “See you soon.”

A search for answers… and a family still waiting.

The night of Sunday, March 22, 2026, began like any other for an 18-year-old senior wrapping up his final months of high school. Rodrigo “Rico” Montes, a kind-hearted student at River Forest High School in Hobart, Indiana, had spent the evening at a casual gathering with friends. He was described by those who knew him as “very nice, very caring” — the type of young man who lit up a room with his easy smile and quiet reliability. Around 11 p.m., he texted his family that he was getting a ride home. His last message to his mother carried that simple, reassuring promise: “See you soon.”

He never walked through the door.

By midnight, worry had already set in. His brother began calling hospitals. When no trace appeared, the family contacted Lake Station police. What followed was a frantic search that quickly turned chilling. Early Monday morning, around 4 a.m., an off-duty deputy spotted a heavily damaged truck overturned and partially submerged in Deep River near 27th Avenue and Wyoming in Lake Station. The vehicle matched the description of the one Rico had been riding in. Front-end damage suggested a serious crash, but the driver — and Rico — were nowhere to be found.

The discovery ignited an intensive multi-agency effort. Lake Station police, Indiana State Police, and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Dive Team mobilized immediately. Helicopters scanned the area from above while ground teams combed the riverbanks and surrounding terrain. Volunteers joined family members, who refused to sit idle. Armed with flashlights, Rico’s relatives searched the area themselves — and made a haunting find under the I-80/94 overpass near Central Avenue, just east of the crash site: what appeared to be bloodstains on the ground.

That blood discovery has now become the focal point of the investigation. Authorities have collected samples, and DNA testing is currently underway to determine if it belongs to the missing teen. The location raises disturbing questions. Was Rico thrown from the vehicle during the crash? Did he attempt to climb up to the overpass seeking help? Or does the blood point to something more sinister — a possible struggle or foul play after the truck went into the water?

As days turned into a full week of agonizing uncertainty, the community rallied in ways that highlighted both the strength and the heartbreak surrounding Rico’s disappearance. Prayer vigils filled local churches. Yellow ribbons and “Find Rico” posters appeared on lampposts, storefronts, and social media profiles across northwest Indiana and into Chicago’s suburbs. Classmates at River Forest High School organized walks and shared memories of their friend — the quiet senior who loved spending time with family, played sports casually, and always had time to listen.

Rico’s mother has been the public face of the family’s pain. In brief statements and tearful interviews, she has clung to hope while visibly crumbling under the weight of not knowing. “He said ‘See you soon.’ Those were his last words to me,” she told reporters, her voice breaking. The simple text message has become a symbol of the family’s limbo — a promise frozen in time, unanswered. She has spent sleepless nights replaying every detail: the tone of his voice when he left, the friends he was with, any small clue that might explain why her son never came home.

The father’s anguish has been equally palpable. Reports describe him standing silently near the riverbank during searches, staring at the dark water as if willing it to give up its secrets. Family members have spoken of the unbearable “what ifs” that haunt every hour: What if the driver panicked and fled? What if Rico was injured and wandered off disoriented? What if someone saw something but hasn’t come forward?

On Thursday, March 26, the search reached a grim conclusion. The Indiana DNR Dive Team located Rico’s body in the Little Calumet River (connected to the Deep River system in the area) around 11:20 a.m. The discovery came after days of exhaustive efforts, including sonar mapping and diver operations in cold, murky conditions. An autopsy was scheduled for the following day to determine the exact cause and manner of death.

A suspect is now in custody, with charges pending. Police have been tight-lipped about the individual’s identity and relationship to Rico, but sources indicate the person was the driver of the truck that night. Prosecutors have confirmed the suspect is a minor, adding layers of legal complexity to the case. The driver’s account — or lack thereof — will likely become central as investigators piece together the final hours before the crash.

The blood found near the I-80/94 overpass takes on even heavier significance now. If DNA confirms it belongs to Rico, it could help reconstruct the sequence of events: perhaps he survived the initial impact long enough to seek higher ground or assistance before entering the water. Alternatively, it may point to injuries sustained outside the vehicle or involvement of others at the scene. Forensic experts are analyzing not just the blood but also the truck’s damage, tire marks, and any trace evidence recovered from the river.

This case has struck a particularly deep chord in northwest Indiana. Lake Station and Hobart are tight-knit communities where everyone seems to know someone connected to the family. High school seniors are on the cusp of adulthood — prom season, graduation plans, college decisions — making Rico’s absence feel especially cruel. Teachers have described him as respectful and hardworking. Friends recall late-night talks about the future and simple joys like hanging out after school.

Social media has become both a lifeline and a source of pain. Pages dedicated to finding Rico filled with tips, shared sightings (most unverified), and outpourings of support. Yet alongside the genuine concern, speculation has run rampant — theories about the driver, questions about why the truck ended up in the river, and debates over whether alcohol or reckless driving played a role. Authorities have urged the public to stop spreading unconfirmed rumors that could jeopardize the investigation.

As the legal process moves forward, the family faces the painful transition from searching for a missing loved one to mourning and seeking justice. A GoFundMe and other support efforts have been launched to help with funeral expenses and counseling. Community leaders have called for unity, reminding residents that behind the headlines is a family shattered by sudden, inexplicable loss.

The broader implications of this tragedy extend beyond one community. Teenagers getting rides home late at night is a common scenario across America. Cases like Rico’s highlight the dangers of impaired or inexperienced driving, the importance of seatbelts and passenger safety, and the critical need for swift reporting when someone doesn’t arrive as expected. They also underscore the emotional toll on families left in limbo — those endless hours where hope battles against the growing fear that the worst has happened.

Investigators continue to appeal for any information. Did anyone see the truck on the roads that night? Were there witnesses near the I-80/94 overpass or along the river? Even small details — a passing car, a strange sound, a conversation overheard — could prove vital. Tips can be directed to Lake Station police or the Indiana State Police tip line.

For now, the blood near the overpass stands as a silent witness. DNA results, expected in the coming days or weeks, may bring some measure of clarity amid the grief. But no test can restore a young life cut short or heal the hearts of parents who sent their son out with a simple goodbye, never imagining it would be the last.

Rico Montes was more than a missing teen statistic. He was a son, a brother, a friend, a senior with dreams ahead. His story is a stark reminder of how quickly ordinary nights can turn tragic — and how one text message can become a family’s most treasured, and most painful, memory.

The river has given up its secret, but the full truth is still emerging. As DNA testing proceeds and charges are formalized, the community watches, prays, and mourns. A young man who simply wanted to get home will never walk through that door again. His family holds onto “See you soon” like a lifeline, even as they begin the long journey of saying goodbye.

In the quiet suburbs of northwest Indiana, yellow ribbons still flutter in the spring breeze. Candles burn at makeshift memorials. And somewhere in the hearts of those who loved him, a promise remains unbroken — even if the one who made it never made it home.

The search for answers continues. Justice is being pursued. And a mother still whispers the words her son sent her that final night, hoping against everything that somehow, somewhere, he knows she is still waiting.