BENTON COUNTY, Wash. – UPDATE 3:09 p.m.
According to a press release from the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, the body found in the Yakima River is confirmed to be the missing teen, 18-year-old Gage Mercado.
BCSO says the body was found at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday. Detectives are reportedly investigating the death and interviewing over 50 people who attended the bonfire.
If you have information on the investigation, contact BCSO Detective Brandon DeMeyer at Branden.DeMyer@co.benton.wa.us
ORIGINAL COVERAGE
A body found on the afternoon of Jan. 3. near Horn Rapids Park may be that of 18-year-old Gage Mercado, who was last seen on Saturday, Dec. 30.
Benton County Coroner Bill Leach confirmed with NonStop Local that a body was found in the Yakima River, however the body has not been identified yet.
The body was found during a search party conducted by Mercado’s family, friends and law enforcement.
Mercado’s family reported him missing after he was last seen at a bonfire in Horn Rapids Park around 10:30 p.m. on Dec. 30.
Benton County Sheriff’s Deputies searched the park and the riverbank with Benton County Fire District 2 and Richland Police assisted with a drone after his disappearance, however, Mercado was not found.
Family, law enforcement searching for teen last seen at Horn Rapids Park
On Jan. 1, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office asked the community for help in locating Mercado via a social media post.
Family, friends, concerned citizens and law enforcement had been searching for Mercado since he was reported missing and his family provided a statement to NonStop Local which read in part:
“Everyone in the community please be on the lookout. Gage is just a baby with his whole life ahead of him with a family who loves and misses him.”
