Bryce Laspisa’s disappearance on August 30, 2013, at Castaic Lake remains one of the most perplexing unsolved cases in recent history. What began as a young college student’s drive home to Orange County from Sierra College, near Sacramento, quickly spiraled into a baffling mystery after his vehicle was found overturned, with Bryce nowhere to be seen. His sudden and inexplicable disappearance has left family, friends, and investigators searching for answers to a tragedy that haunts many to this day.
Background of Bryce Laspisa
Bryce David Laspisa was a 19-year-old student at Sierra College, located in Rocklin, California, just outside Sacramento. Known for his charismatic personality and artistic talents, Bryce seemed like any other young man, full of potential and at the threshold of adulthood. Born in Springfield, Illinois, he moved to California with his family after graduating from Naperville Central High School.
He appeared to be thriving in his new life, studying graphic and industrial design, making friends, and enjoying the typical college experience, but a year before his disappearance things took a turn for the worst. He faced significant upheaval when he was reportedly kicked out of Sierra College. While specific details surrounding the expulsion remain unclear, it marked a turning point in his life. Bryce had been pursuing a promising path, but after this setback, his behavior began to change. Friends and family noticed shifts in his personality and mood, with some speculating that the expulsion contributed to the emotional struggles he displayed in the months leading up to his disappearance. This event may have added to the mounting pressures Bryce was feeling, ultimately playing a role in the erratic behavior he exhibited just before vanishing.
In the days leading up to his disappearance, Bryce’s behavior took a dramatic and concerning turn. His friends and family reported that he had begun acting strangely, exhibiting signs of distress, and making unsettling decisions. Most notably, Bryce abruptly broke up with his girlfriend, Kim Sly, on August 28, 2013, just two days before his disappearance, claiming she would be better off without him.
Friends reported that Bryce had also been engaging in unusual activities, including giving away his personal belongings, like his gaming console, which raised red flags. These behaviors, combined with his erratic actions over the course of the next few days, suggested that something had shifted in Bryce’s mental and emotional state.
The Drive to Orange County
On August 29, 2013, Bryce made the decision to drive from Sierra College to his parents’ home in Laguna Niguel, Orange County, located more than 450 miles away. This decision itself was unexpected and concerning, especially given the events of the previous days…