Name: Bryce David Laspisa
Age: 19 years old
Last seen: August 30, 2013
Location: Castaic, California
Status: Still Missing
Disappeared: Season 7 Episode 3 “Road to Nowhere”
Case Information
19 year old Bryce Laspisa was last seen in Castaic, California on August 30, 2013. He disappeared while driving to visit his family in Laguna Niguel, California. Bryce never made it to his family home, and has never been heard from again.
His car was found abandoned in a ravine off Lake Hughes Road near Castaic Lake a day later, but Bryce Laspisa was nowhere to be found.
Background
Bryce David Laspisa was born on April 30, 1994 to parents Mike and Karen Laspisa. He was their only child, and raised in the Chicago suburbs of Illinois.
Bryce graduated from Naperville Central High School in 2012, and when his parents retired the family moved to Laguna Niguel, California.
Bryce was studying graphic and industrial design at Sierra College in northern California, earning credits in the hopes of transferring to a four-year university.
At the time of his disappearance Bryce was beginning his sophomore year at Sierra College and had a girlfriend named Kim Sly.
Disappearance
On August 27, 2013, Bryce Laspisa broke up with his girlfriend Kim by sending her a text message stating she’d be better off without him.
She recalled his behavior as being strange and unwell that night. He had also given away his personal belongings to friends, including diamond earrings he had gotten from his mother and his gaming console.
On August 28, 2013, shortly before 11:30 p.m, Bryce left Kim’s apartment in the city of Chico and was assumed to be driving back home to college.
Around midnight on August 29, 2013, his parents were notified by their credit card company that a card in their name had been used for roadside service in Buttonwillow, California, located off Interstate 5.
Bryce was thus believed to be driving back to visit his family home in Laguna Niguel, California, which was three and a half hours from Buttonwillow.
Growing concerned over her son’s well being after he never made it to their home, Bryce’s mother called the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at around 6:00 p.m. They found him eight miles away from the location where he had been serviced for the gas in Buttonwillow, Kern County.
Bryce passed a sobriety test, and reluctantly called his mother, reassuring her he was coming back soon.
On August 30, 2013, his mother received a call from Bryce shortly before 2:08 a.m. He told his mother that he was too tired to drive, and that he was going to pull over for the night. This was the last time Bryce was heard from.
Three hours later, at approximately 5:30 am, his 2003 beige Toyota Highlander SUV was found abandoned at the bottom of a 15-foot ravine off Lake Hughes Road near Castaic Lake. A caller reported the vehicle to the California Highway Patrol, who then notified Bryce’s parents at their home in Laguna Niguel.
The vehicle was overturned on the side of Main Ramp Road, about 100 feet from Lake Hughes Road, with the rear windshield broken out and some blood found inside.
Bryce’s personal belongings, including his ID, cell phone, wallet and laptop computer were left behind in the car, but he was nowhere to be found.
Investigation
An extensive search around the area where the car was found abandoned was conducted with the help of volunteers, rescue teams, search dogs, and police divers, but turned up no sign of Bryce after more than two weeks of searching.
Surveillance footage near the ravine off Lake Hughes Road captured his car on two separate occasions on August 30, 2013, at 2:15 a.m and 4:29 a.m precisely. The first picture was taken just seven minutes after Bryce made the call to his mother on that day when he claimed to be pulling over to rest.
With no body found at the car crash scene, authorities believe Bryce Laspisa walked away from the accident. Search dogs later picked up a scent trail leading away from the lake on the west side toward a truck stop on Castaic Road, nine days after Bryce went missing.
The police search for Bryce Laspisa uncovered several erratic behaviors that may indicate he had been experiencing a crisis upon returning to college for his sophomore year.
Bryce’s roommate, Sean Dixon, claimed he was drinking more recklessly, and was using prescription ADHD drugs while playing video games late at night. He also abruptly ended his relationship with his girlfriend Kim the day before he disappeared.
Whereabouts
Police found no evidence, means or motive of foul play in Bryce Laspisa’s disappearance. There was also no indication that he died by suicide, as his body was never found at the lake where his car was abandoned.
A $5,000 reward is being offered by the family for any information leading to the safe return of their son Bryce.
The circumstances of Bryce Laspisa’s disappearance remain unclear, and his case is currently classified as missing. His case remains unsolved.
Appearance
Caucasian male born on April 30, 1994, with red hair and green eyes. He is 5′ 11″ tall and weighs 170 pounds.
His ears are pierced and he has a tattoo of a Taurus bull head on his left shoulder.
Bryce was last seen wearing white cargo shorts, a blue/white checkered shirt. and size 12 white and red Nike shoes.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Bryce Laspisa please contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office (323) 890-5500 or call the family tip line at (949) 292-4400. Mail can also be sent to: findbrycelaspisa@gmail.com.
Resources & Further Information
Find Bryce Laspisa – Facebook
MISSING PERSON Bryce David Laspisa – Office of the Attorney General California
Bryce David Laspisa – NamUS
News & Media Links
Search For Missing College Student Extends To Oregon – CBS Los Angeles 09/13
Missing College Student’s Girlfriend “Hopeful” as Lake Search Continues – NBC Los Angeles 09/13
Girlfriend of Missing College Student Speaks Out – NBC Los Angeles 09/13
Search Continues For Missing Orange County College Student – CBS Los Angeles 09/13
Search For Missing College Student Continues Thursday In Castaic – CBS Los Angeles 09/13
Search Continues Near Castaic Lake For Missing College Student – CBS Los Angeles 09/13
Parents Suspend Search For Missing OC College Student – CBS Los Angeles 09/13
Missing Naperville student’s family still holding out hope – Chicago Tribune 09/13
Family Plans 6-Month Vigil For Missing Bryce Laspisa – CBS Los Angeles 02/14
Family asks for kindness on anniversary of son’s disappearance – Chicago Tribune 08/14
Search continues, 2 years after Central grad vanished – Chicago Tribune 08/15
Videos & Flyers
There is something that bothers me about this case. No where in the show does anyone say that the person providing the medication was ever interviewed during the investigation. My son was in the military and was drugged and then raped by a ‘friend’ he was hanging with. Could this possibly be what actually happened to Bryce and he was not emotionally able to cope? It seems the most plausible explanation as to why he really did not want to talk to anyone about his changed behavior.
Totally agree. Something is strange about that friend and that night. Why wouldn’t they look into the friend or if they did… mention it.
Where or Who did he get the drugs from
Not enough knowledge about the friends and family dynamic. I feel like he wanted to disappear and make it look like he must have died. As mentioned by others, where did the drugs come from? Did he become physically aggressive with others lately, what was on his computer in the deleted area? Not enough info man. Give all the information so the clues can come together. Someone or some people are holding back information/evidence.
I have a feeling the parents were part of something sinister and he found out while he was visiting them that summer, because when he went back to college he started acting “off” and drinking more which means he is trying to cope with some life changing news or revelations. The parents never went to get Bryce when he was in Buttonwillow for 12 HOURS just sitting there. The mom also never questioned him enough when she would call him or talk to him. She made his ex gf give him the keys to the car when she said he was not acting right. Bryce told his mom he had lots to talk with her about, possibly confronting her about his findings? Maybe she knew and his parents knew he would break and spill the beans so they took care of him or are hiding him somewhere. They are also pretty well off, as they reired early and moved to CA so why only $5k in reward? If they really cared they can offer wayyyyy more. Just very fishy. I immediately came to that conclusion when I heard the facts and story.
I know I have seen this guy in the last 7 years but for the life of me, I can’t remember where or exactly when. I’ve been all over the pacific northwest. I remember the tattoo, the orange hair, and the bags beneath his eyes as though he hadn’t gotten a good nights sleep in a few weeks.
I to think i have seen him in the past somewhere but cannot remember where v, use to drive otr and saw a lot of people specifically on the west coast