Divers search river for Monongahela man missing since last weekend

Shelby Rhodes hasn’t been seen since Feb. 7.

Shelby Rhodes

Fire departments from across the region have logged dozens of hours along the Monongahela River in an ongoing search for Shelby Rhodes, a 26-year-old man missing for more than a week. Authorities said Monday there were no new updates in the case.

Over the past several days, firefighters and specialized search teams from across the region have committed long shifts, cold hands and careful sweeps of the river in the search for Rhodes, who has been missing since Feb. 7.

Crews returned to the water Sunday for a third day of active searching. Capt. Donald Foster of the Monongahela Fire Department told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 that improving ice conditions allowed teams to deploy underwater sonar, drones and potentially divers.

As of Sunday night, crews had covered roughly a mile and a half of river.

Search dogs alerted to multiple areas along the shoreline in recent days, prompting teams to expand their scan farther upriver as ice broke apart, but none of the hits led to any new information.

Rhodes was last seen early Feb. 7 after meeting a friend at a bar in Monongahela.

Family members say he later attended a party in the Black Diamond section of town and was seen around 3 a.m. walking toward the back of a house near the river.

His cellphone was found near his last known location along the riverbank, and footprints were discovered leading toward the water.

Since then, there has been no contact.

Despite returning to the water multiple times over the weekend, the Donora Fire Company Dive said crews were unsuccessful in locating Rhodes despite extensive efforts in extreme cold water conditions.

In total, responders logged approximately 35 hours searching before operations were suspended.

Officials described the frigid water as a major challenge that limited dive time and complicated sonar imaging.

Elizabeth Borough Fire Company’s 139 Sonar Team and cadaver dog unit also spent hours over the weekend on the river. Members described the task as difficult due to ice coverage but praised the coordination between water crews and shoreline searchers.

Their team focused on sonar sweeps and K-9 searches along the riverbank, following up on canine alerts. The fire department said while the search had been suspended, they are happy to help if they need to be called out again.

Gallatin Sunnyside’s 154 Squad and SOV units assisted in Monongahela for roughly eight hours each day over a two-day period.

The Charleroi Fire Department deployed water rescue personnel who worked several hours supporting river operations.

Across departments, firefighters described the same conditions: bitter temperatures, shifting ice and long hours scanning dark water.

In a public video posted to social media, Rhodes’ brother, C.J. Pearce, and sister, Jessi, asked the public to stop speculating and circulating rumors about their brother’s disappearance.

Pearce said crews searched the river Sunday from Elizabeth down to the bridge in Monongahela. Two sonar targets were identified during that time, but both were later determined to be logs.

Pearce said dive teams entered the water each time sonar picked up something.

“They (firefighters) are doing and have done everything they can and will continue to do everything they can. The facts right now are showing he is not in that river, so keep your eyes peeled. Keep looking for Shelby,” Pearce said. “If you hear something, say something. If you see something, say something.

“I want to thank you personally for being there for Shelby and being there for us and everything everyone continues to do. Let’s keep our heads on straight and keep a clear mind and bring Shelby home.”

Rhodes’ family and friends are continuing to share fliers on social media and are asking anyone with information to come forward.

Rhodes is described as 26 years old, 5 feet 3 inches tall and weighing approximately 125 pounds. He has red hair and a red beard. He was last seen wearing a blue cap with gold trim, a black hoodie and jeans. According to information shared by family members, he has several tattoos, including the word “Respect” above his eyebrow, “Never Been Normal” on his hand, a skeleton holding a rose on his shoulder and a small chest tattoo reading “Est. 1999.”

Crews from Donora Fire Company, Collinsburg Volunteer Fire Department, Lincoln Boro Fire Department, Port Vue Fire Department, Dravosburg Fire Department, Elizabeth Borough Fire Company, Munhall Fire Department, Valley Inn Fire Department, Gallatin Sunnyside Volunteer Fire Department, Tri Community and Southeast Regional EMS, Bentleyville and North Strabane assisted Monongahela VFD on scene.

Monongahela Police are handling the investigation, and a missing endangered advisory remains in place. Salvation Army Disaster Services offered support to first responders over the weekend.

Anyone with information about Rhodes’ disappearance is asked to contact the Monongahela Police Department at 724-258-5511 or call 911.