Robert “RJ” Williams’ body was found Saturday in the White River near the Broad Ripple Avenue corridor after extensive ground and water searches.
INDIANAPOLIS — The search for Robert “RJ” Williams ended over the weekend when police and fire crews recovered the 16-year-old’s body from the White River close to Broad Ripple’s business district, authorities said Monday.
Williams’ case drew widespread attention during the holidays as family, neighbors and first responders canvassed riverbanks, alleys and bridges across Broad Ripple. Investigators had narrowed their focus to the river late last week after collecting items and reviewing video that placed the teen near the water. The recovery brings closure to a missing-person investigation that began Dec. 17 and now shifts to a coroner’s review to determine how and why Williams died. Officials said detectives are reconstructing his final route through the neighborhood and expect preliminary autopsy findings later this week.
According to police, Williams was last seen in the 1100 block of Broad Ripple Avenue on the afternoon of Dec. 17. Flyers described him as a student and a committed athlete who was on the autism spectrum. Family members told reporters that a backpack and gym bag linked to Williams were later found on a dock off the river, a discovery that prompted repeated water searches with boats and aerial drones. On Friday, investigators announced they believed Williams had entered the river in the area, and on Saturday shortly after midday, a water-rescue team located a body downstream. The remains were identified as Williams. “Our hearts are with the family,” an IMPD official said after the recovery.
Crews concentrated on the stretch between the Monon Trail bridge and several river access points used by anglers and boaters. The White River can move quickly during winter thaws, and responders described cold conditions with slick footing along the banks. Firefighters used sonar and pole cameras while officers walked the shoreline and reviewed private surveillance from businesses lining Broad Ripple Avenue. Police did not release an exact distance from the dock to the recovery spot but said it was within a few hundred feet of a fast-food restaurant well known to area residents. No criminal charges have been filed, and investigators said they have seen no immediate signs of foul play. The coroner will issue the final ruling on cause and manner of death after standard testing.
Broad Ripple, a nightlife and trail hub on Indianapolis’ north side, has seen heavy holiday foot traffic and river activity despite cold weather. City crews added cameras and lighting along the Monon and nearby streets in recent years, and those systems sometimes assist in reconstructing timelines in missing-person cases. Records show several winter river rescues over the past decade, usually involving slips on docks or embankments. Williams’ disappearance resonated across the neighborhood—storefronts displayed his flyer, runners posted updates to social media, and volunteer teams met before dawn during the final week of December to search paths, parking lots and bridges.
Officials said the Marion County Coroner’s Office has custody of the remains and will conduct an autopsy followed by toxicology testing, a process that can take days for preliminary answers and longer for lab results. IMPD detectives will complete their report after the coroner’s ruling and any forensic checks on items recovered from the riverfront. If new evidence suggests a crime, the case would be referred to prosecutors for review. Police plan to brief the family as findings come in and to release additional updates through formal statements rather than on-scene interviews.
By Sunday evening, mourners left flowers and candles along a railing by the river path, and a small cluster lingered near the Monon crossing, reading the last posted flyer. “He was a sweet kid,” said a neighbor who stopped during a jog and declined to give a last name. A shop owner along Broad Ripple Avenue said officers checked storage nooks and back alleys behind the businesses multiple times after the teen vanished. A cyclist who had joined volunteer searches said crews moved methodically, grid by grid, and that the river remained the focal point once the bags were found. Traffic through the village returned to normal, but many passersby paused at the water’s edge before moving on.
As of Monday, the investigation is open pending autopsy results. Authorities said the next significant update is expected when preliminary findings are released later this week, including any indication of injury or underlying medical issues. Police said they would provide a further briefing after the coroner’s office completes its initial review.
Author note: Last updated January 5, 2026.