whining/wheezing/seezing sound, explorer wont start, radiator and reservior dry, had stripped bolt in water pump. reservior drained daily.

my 1997 ford explorer was draining water from the back flow reservoir  so i had to fill it daily, even twice a day. according to my roomate, he forgot to fill the reservoir even once.
on the 3rd day the truck sputtered and died on the highway. it did not over heat according to him, it just died. when he depressed the gas pedal it didnt seem to take any gas, it slowed down then stalled. all gauges were good & no check engine light was on. when he tried to start the vehicle, the engine tried to turn over but had a seizing /weezing/whinging sound. when he tried again the same. it would try to turn over than the same sounds. i got back and found the reservoir and radiator were bone dry! water began to spew from the front part of the engine. i was thinking the water pump because the last mechanic to work on my truck put the wrong size bolt in and had to fill the hole w/blue shit (forgot the name, think it was gasket sealer) before he put the right size bolt in.?..?? ive heard it could be a blown gasket, piston damage, the water pump... i am new to the area and dont know a reliable mechanic that will honestly answer my questions.