As investigators work to identify the body found Wednesday near a Southern California lake, the parents of 19-year-old Bryce Laspisa are anxiously awaiting any news about their missing son.
The Laspisa family moved from Naperville to southern California last year. Laspisa, who graduated from Naperville Central High School, was driving from Sierra College to visit his parents in California when he disappeared.
A body was found on fire on the side of a road around 6:30 a.m. Wednesday near Castaic Lake, just a few miles from where Laspisa disappeared.
Police said they can only confirm the body was a male because it was burned so badly.
Laspisa's overturned SUV was found near Castaic Lake with his cell phone, wallet and laptop still inside. There was no sign of Laspisa, but officials confirmed blood was found inside of the car.
Lapisa's uncle, Frank David, said the family was reaching out in any way they can, hoping someone who knew the missing man when he was a student at Naperville Central High School had information on where he may be.
Laspisa's mother Karen Laspisa said she is especially worried because her son was unfamiliar with the area and hopes for answers for investigators soon.
"My son has a permanent retainer in the bottom of his mouth that should help them very quickly identify if this body that they found is really my son," she said tearfully.
In a new twist Karen Laspisa said Kern County Sheriff's deputies encountered her son last Thursday, hours before she talked to him one last time.
She also said her son had told her he broke up with his girlfriend, who is cooperating with police.
Laspisa is described as white, 5 feet, 10 inches tall, 160 pounds with red-orange hair.
Anyone with information is asked to call 323-890-5500.
