BENTON COUNTY, Wash. – UPDATE Jan. 5
NonStop Local had the opportunity to interview the sister-in-law of Gage Mercado, Liz Steege, on Friday.
She talked about who Mercado was, provided information about his public celebration of life and requests for the community to come forward with information.
Steege said Mercado was a 2023 graduate of Kiona-Benton High School where he played basketball, had a sweet smile and was well-liked and friends with everyone.
Steege calls for anyone with information on Mercado’s death to come forward and make anonymous reports. She also requests for parents of anyone who was at the bonfire to push for answers from their children.
Gage Mercado’s celebration of life is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 20 at 1 p.m. at C3 Tri-Cities Community Church. The celebration is open for the public.
UPDATE Jan. 4
The family of Gage Mercado provided this statement for NonStop Local:
“Firstly we would like to thank everyone who has helped with sharing Gage’s story and helped us search for him. We are devastated by his loss. Even though the search for Gage is over, the search for answers is not. We are begging for anyone who was at that bonfire to come forward with any and all information from that night. Parents please continue to ask your teenagers and young adults questions and encourage them to come forward. Gage did not deserve this, but his family and friends deserve answers.”
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.
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.”
