In August 2013, a 19-year-old college student named Bryce Laspisa disappeared under mysterious circumstances, leaving his family, friends, and law enforcement puzzled and heartbroken. As the years passed, his disappearance became one of the most perplexing missing person cases in the United States. Despite widespread media coverage, numerous searches, and countless theories, Bryce’s whereabouts remain unknown, leaving a void in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

As we mark a decade since Bryce Laspisa vanished, his case continues to capture public interest, with many wondering what truly happened to him on that fateful night. In this article, we explore the timeline of events leading to his disappearance, the efforts to find him, the theories surrounding the case, and the emotional toll it has taken on his family.

The Early Days of Bryce Laspisa

Bryce David Laspisa was born on April 30, 1994, in Springfield, Illinois, to parents Karen and Michael Laspisa. As an only child, Bryce was described as a charismatic, artistic, and outgoing young man who had a close relationship with his family. The Laspisas eventually relocated to Laguna Niguel, California, where Bryce attended high school and continued to develop his creative skills. After graduating from high school, Bryce enrolled at Sierra College in Rocklin, California, where he studied industrial and graphic design. In his sophomore year, Bryce seemed to be thriving socially and academically, making friends easily and excelling in his studies.

However, in the weeks leading up to his disappearance, Bryce’s behavior began to change in ways that raised concern among those close to him.

The Lead-Up to Bryce’s Disappearance

The days preceding Bryce Laspisa’s disappearance were marked by erratic behavior that seemed out of character for the normally cheerful and outgoing young man. In the last week of August 2013, Bryce returned to Sierra College for the fall semester after spending the summer break with his parents in Southern California. Shortly after returning to school, Bryce’s friends and girlfriend, Kim Sly, noticed unusual changes in his demeanor.

Bryce started drinking heavily, a habit that was unlike him. His roommate, Sean Dixon, reported that Bryce had been consuming large amounts of hard liquor, sometimes even during the day. In addition to drinking, Bryce had also been using the prescription drug Vyvanse, a stimulant often used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Although Bryce did not have a prescription for the drug, he had obtained it to help him stay awake and focus on his studies. Vyvanse, when misused, can lead to side effects such as paranoia, anxiety, and erratic behavior.

Bryce’s strange behavior became more apparent in the days leading up to his disappearance. On August 27, 2013, Bryce sent an alarming text message to his girlfriend, Kim, in which he confessed that she would be “better off without him.” Concerned for his well-being, Kim drove to Bryce’s apartment to check on him. When she arrived, Bryce broke up with her unexpectedly, further heightening Kim’s concern.

Later that evening, Bryce spoke to his mother, Karen, on the phone. Although he seemed somewhat off, he assured her that everything was fine and gave no indication that anything was wrong. However, as the hours passed, Bryce’s actions would only deepen the mystery surrounding his eventual disappearance.

The Night Bryce Vanished

On the evening of August 28, Bryce left Sierra College without telling anyone. He began driving south toward his parents’ home in Laguna Niguel, about 450 miles away. It’s unclear what prompted Bryce to make this sudden journey, but the events that followed would leave investigators and his family searching for answers.

After leaving Rocklin, Bryce was seen on surveillance footage purchasing a small amount of gas in a town called Buttonwillow, located nearly halfway between his college and his parents’ home. This was the last confirmed sighting of Bryce before his disappearance.

In the early hours of August 29, Bryce’s mother received a call from their roadside assistance service, alerting her that Bryce had run out of gas near Buttonwillow. Karen immediately tried to contact Bryce, and when she spoke with him, he assured her that he was fine and was waiting for help to arrive. A local mechanic delivered gas to Bryce’s car, and after refueling, the mechanic offered to follow Bryce to ensure that he made it safely back to the freeway. However, Bryce did not return home that night.

For the next several hours, Bryce remained in the Buttonwillow area, making little progress on his drive home. During this time, he spoke intermittently with his mother, but his responses were vague and he refused to explain why he hadn’t made it home yet. By 9:00 a.m. on August 29, Bryce had been in the Buttonwillow area for nearly 13 hours. Growing increasingly worried, Karen urged Bryce to come home, but he continued to delay his return.

At 2:00 p.m., Bryce’s car was spotted near Castaic Lake, about two hours from Laguna Niguel. This would be the last confirmed sighting of Bryce Laspisa.

The Discovery of Bryce’s Car

In the early morning hours of August 30, authorities discovered Bryce’s 2003 Toyota Highlander overturned near Castaic Lake. The car had gone down a steep embankment, and while it had sustained significant damage, there was no sign of Bryce at the scene. Inside the vehicle, investigators found Bryce’s personal belongings, including his phone, wallet, and laptop. His blood was found on the passenger seat, but it appeared to be a minor amount, suggesting that Bryce had not sustained any life-threatening injuries in the crash.

The circumstances surrounding the crash were puzzling. It appeared that Bryce’s car had driven off a nearby access road at high speed, but there were no signs of braking or swerving, indicating that the crash may have been deliberate. However, despite extensive searches of the surrounding area, including the lake and nearby hills, no trace of Bryce was ever found.

Theories and Speculation

Over the past decade, various theories have emerged to explain Bryce’s disappearance. Some believe that Bryce may have suffered a mental health crisis or a drug-induced episode, leading him to become disoriented and possibly wander away from the crash site. Others speculate that Bryce may have intentionally disappeared, seeking to start a new life elsewhere. This theory is supported by the fact that Bryce’s personal belongings were left in the car, suggesting that he may have wanted to sever ties with his old life.

Another theory is that Bryce may have fallen victim to foul play after surviving the crash. Given the remote location of the accident, it’s possible that Bryce encountered someone who harmed him, although there is no concrete evidence to support this scenario.

Mental health experts have also weighed in on the case, suggesting that Bryce may have been experiencing suicidal thoughts in the days leading up to his disappearance. His cryptic behavior, combined with his heavy drinking and drug use, could indicate that Bryce was in emotional distress. However, without Bryce’s body or any definitive clues, these theories remain speculative.

The Search Efforts

In the days, weeks, and months following Bryce’s disappearance, search and rescue teams combed the rugged terrain around Castaic Lake. Divers searched the lake itself, while helicopters and drones were deployed to survey the surrounding areas. Search dogs were brought in to track Bryce’s scent, but despite these efforts, no significant leads emerged.

Bryce’s parents, Karen and Michael Laspisa, have remained active in the search for their son, working closely with law enforcement and the media to keep his case in the public eye. Over the years, there have been multiple reported sightings of Bryce, but none have been confirmed. Despite the lack of closure, Bryce’s family continues to hold out hope that one day they will find out what happened to their son.

The Impact on the Laspisa Family

Bryce’s disappearance has taken an unimaginable toll on his family. Karen and Michael have spent the past decade grappling with the pain of not knowing what happened to their only child. In interviews, Karen has spoken about the difficulty of moving forward without answers, describing the experience as a “living nightmare.”

In the years since Bryce’s disappearance, the Laspisa family has also connected with other families of missing persons, drawing strength from the shared experiences of those who have faced similar heartache. While the passage of time has not diminished their grief, Karen and Michael remain determined to keep Bryce’s memory alive and to continue searching for the truth.

A Decade Later: Where Is Bryce?

As we reach the ten-year mark since Bryce Laspisa vanished, his case remains as perplexing as ever. Despite extensive searches, media coverage, and public interest, there are still more questions than answers. What prompted Bryce’s strange behavior in the days leading up to his disappearance? Why did he remain in the Buttonwillow area for so long? And what ultimately happened to him after his car was found near Castaic Lake?

While the mystery endures, Bryce’s family and friends continue to hold out hope that one day, the truth will be revealed. Whether Bryce is still alive or has passed away, those who loved him deserve closure. Until then, his disappearance remains one of the most haunting unsolved mysteries in recent memory, a case that continues to captivate and confound those who seek to uncover what happened to Bryce Laspisa.