Police say the preliminary identification is Robert “RJ” Williams, 16, pending confirmation by the coroner.
INDIANAPOLIS, IN — Indianapolis police recovered a body from the White River on Saturday afternoon near Broad Ripple, and investigators said the remains are preliminarily identified as 16-year-old Robert “RJ” Williams, who was reported missing on Dec. 17 after leaving the Broad Ripple area. The Marion County Coroner’s Office will make the final identification and determine the cause and manner of death.
Williams’ disappearance sparked a weeks-long search focused on the river corridor north of downtown. Detectives shifted from a missing-person search to a recovery effort on Friday after new leads indicated the teen likely entered the water. The recovery Saturday brings a painful turn for a case that drew sustained attention across Indianapolis, particularly in Broad Ripple, where Williams was last seen. Police and fire dive teams, state conservation officers, and community volunteers took part in the effort as winter weather and fast-moving water complicated operations.
Just after 1 p.m. Saturday, drone teams scanning the 6300 block of Westfield Boulevard spotted a body in the river, according to police. Divers with the Indianapolis Fire Department entered the water to assist with the recovery while officers secured the shoreline. Investigators said personal belongings found earlier in the case, including a backpack and a gym bag located on a dock along the White River on Dec. 18, helped focus subsequent searches in the same stretch of water. “This is a heartbreaking development in a case that has deeply affected our community,” the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said in a written statement, adding thanks to partner agencies and residents who provided tips.
Williams was last seen around 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 17 in the 1000 block of Broad Ripple Avenue. Family members reported him missing that evening when he did not return home from Purdue Polytechnic High School. Police said preliminary findings, including the discovery of his bags and reviews of tips and camera checks, supported the belief that he fell into the White River near where he was last seen. Authorities have not released details on how long the body may have been in the water. The teen’s mother posted updates during the search and said the family remained in close contact with detectives. Officials said there were no immediate indications of foul play, but they emphasized that final determinations rest with the coroner.
Broad Ripple’s riverfront draws walkers and cyclists to the Monon Trail and nearby businesses, and the White River has a history of winter hazards, including cold temperatures and swift currents that reduce visibility for search teams. Conservation officers and firefighters used drones, shoreline teams, and sonar during the days-long effort. Friday’s shift from a search to a recovery mission followed nearly two weeks of daily checks in and around the riverbanks. The case prompted renewed attention to prior incidents along the waterway in cold months, when slippery embankments and low light complicate rescues. Neighbors said police were a frequent presence near Westfield Boulevard as crews staged boats and equipment.
With the recovery complete, the Marion County Coroner’s Office will conduct an examination and formal identification. Police said they would provide an update after the coroner’s findings are available. If the identification is confirmed, records indicate the case will be administratively reclassified from a missing-person investigation to a death investigation. No criminal charges were announced Saturday. Investigators will continue to collect and log reports from any remaining witnesses while waiting for postmortem results, which typically include toxicology screening and can take several weeks to return.
People gathered quietly near the Monon Trail crossing as crews worked along the river. Some placed flowers by the railing before officers asked them to clear the area. A shop owner on Broad Ripple Avenue said regulars had kept asking about the search since December. “Everyone has been looking for updates and hoping for better news,” the owner said. An Indianapolis Fire Department diver described Saturday’s work as physically demanding because of cold water and limited visibility. “It is never easy for the family or the crews, and we are thinking of them tonight,” the diver said.
As of Saturday evening, investigators said the family had been notified of the preliminary identification, and the scene was cleared after the recovery. The next formal update is expected after the coroner completes the examination early this week.
Author note: Last updated January 4, 2026.