At just 15 years old, Gerald Montrio was known for his independence, strength, and intelligence. Gerald’s upbringing in a troubled home where his father frequently used physical abuse as a form of discipline made his life anything but ordinary.
Despite these hardships, Gerald managed to exhibit a resilience that his younger sister, Raquel Razbeau, likened to a “frontiersman.” This description was shared during an interview with The Boston Globe in 2003, highlighting the profound impact Gerald had on those around him.
The struggles within Gerald’s home were not isolated. He shared a deep bond with his best friend, Robert Rasmussen, who also faced abuse. Raquel recalls conversations with Robert’s sister, Joyce, where the boys frequently discussed their desire to escape their harsh realities.
“Both boys were very, very streetwise,” Raquel noted. This street wisdom was evident in their daily lives, as they often navigated their challenging environment with a maturity beyond their years.
The Disappearance
On September 9, 1957, Gerald and Robert made plans to go swimming at the Massachusetts Bay, near their homes in Plymouth, MA. The pair left around 3:00 p.m., carrying bundles of clothing. Witnesses later reported seeing two boys, likely Gerald and Robert, getting in and out of a boat in the bay.
Around an hour after the boys left home, a witness heard calls for help coming from the direction of the beach. Despite multiple visits to the beach, the witness could not locate anyone in distress. Another report came in around 4:30 p.m., indicating that two young boys matching Gerald and Robert’s descriptions were seen hitchhiking in the area.
The Search
When the boys did not return by evening, Robert’s mother, Charlotte, promptly contacted the local police, triggering a widespread search. Police officers soon found Gerald and Robert’s clothing neatly stacked on ‘Flat Rock’ near the water’s edge. The search operation, which included assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard, continued through the night.
Retired Plymouth firefighter, Lenny Sullivan, who participated in the search, remarked, “It’s not the type of place where you go to swim because it’s all big stones. The water was always very, very cold. If you’re a good swimmer, it’s still very, very cold.”
On September 10, 1957, searchers came across a boat they thought the boys had been using before they vanished. Despite extensive efforts, after two days, the authorities concluded their search, believing the boys had drowned and been swept into the Atlantic Ocean.
The Case Today
Over 65 years have passed since the disappearance of Gerald and Robert. Despite the time that has elapsed, the hope for their return persists. Efforts in 2003 to revive interest in their case succeeded in drawing attention from the local media.
At the time he went missing, Gerald was described as a 15-year-old Hispanic male with black hair and brown eyes. He stood 6 feet tall and weighed approximately 140 pounds. He is originally from Bermuda and speaks both Spanish and English. Today, Gerald would be 80 years old.
The ultimate wish of both families, Joyce said, “is that we will have two brothers that we will get to see and touch.”
If you have any information regarding Gerald’s whereabouts or his disappearance, please contact the Plymouth Police Department at (508) 830-4218, ext. 364, or reach out to Raquel at [email protected].
