Body of missing Lake Station, Indiana teen found in Deep River, charges pending
A community is mourning the loss of a northwest Indiana teenager. After a search lasting several days, Rodrigo Montes's body was recovered on Thursday from the Deep River in Lake Station.
Hundreds packed Saint Francis Xavier Church in Lake Station for a prayer vigil Thursday night to remember Montes and support his grieving family.
The 18-year-old, who also went by Rico, was a senior at River Forest High School in nearby Hobart.
"To have this kind of turnout for a young man shows what kind of young man he was," River Forest High School wrestling coach Tom Vasbinder said.
Montes' wrestling team coaches said the teen was admired for his work ethic and personality.
"I'm definitely heartbroken, at a loss for words. We can only just pray for healing and for the family and for the community of Lake Station," coach Derrick Suttles said.
Montes' family said he was last seen Sunday night, getting a ride from a friend. When he didn't come home, they began a frantic search.
On Monday, search teams found a vehicle in Deep River.
Late Thursday morning, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Dive Team found Mones' body in the river. Since then, people have laid flowers and made a makeshift memorial to remember the teen.
Lake Station police said they have one suspect in custody and charges are pending.
River Forest Community School Corporation school board member Richard Perez said he's known the Montes family for years, and his death is felt deeply in this community.
"He was a great kid. I mean, you know, he's three months away from graduation. It's very heartbreaking," he said. "One thing about this community, when one of us is down, we're all down and we all try to lift each other up. And the Montes family, they're a big pillar in our community."