Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputies (LASD) deputies and several other policing agencies are working together in an effort to find Bryce Laspisa, a 19-year old White male. The public is asked to contact LASD Missing Persons detectives at (323) 890-5500 if you have seen Bryce Laspisa.
At 5:30AM Friday, August 30, 2013, a 9-1-1 call was made by a person who reported a vehicle accident on the Castaic Lake Main Ramp Road. California Highway Patrol officers responded to handle the collision in Castaic, an unincorporated community in the Santa Clarita Valley of northern Los Angeles County.
Finding no occupants in or near the damaged 2003 tan-colored Toyota Highlander, CHP officers contacted sheriff’s deputies to assist in the search for the occupant(s). By 6:00AM, Parks patrol deputies with Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Parks Bureau, were on scene at the Castaic Lake’s Main Ramp Road.
The Toyota was seen laying on its side on the main launch ramp road about 100 feet from Lake Hughes Road, leading into the upper recreation area on the north side of Castaic Lake (known as Upper Castaic Lake Recreation Area).
Sheriff’s Parks patrol deputies and CHP officers searched the area on foot but no one was found.
As part of the search, the registered owner of the car was contacted. Deputies were told by the registered owners of the Toyota that their son was the last driver of the Toyota. He was identified as Bryce Laspisa.
Bryce Laspisa is described as:
Male white 19-years old. 5’11 tall, 170 pounds, red hair, blue eyes. Tattoo of Taurus bullhead with Roman numeral on left shoulder. Last seen wearing: White cargo shots, blue/white checkered shirt, white with red Nike shoes.
His parents explained that Bryce Laspisa lives in Roseville, Placer County (Northern California) where he attends college. His family members are residents of Orange County and they said Bryce Laspisa was reportedly driving from Northern California to see them in Orange County.
Bryce Laspisa had earlier been reported as a missing person by his family members on Thursday, August 29th to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. Later that night on Thursday, he was located by Kern County Sheriff’s deputies in Buttonwillow, Kern County (just north of Los Angeles County) and he was removed from the missing person’s statewide database.
Bryce Laspisa spoke to his mother on the phone at 2:00AM Friday, reportedly from Buttonwillow, Kern County. This was the last contact his family had with him.
Because of this and other newly obtained information, at 11:30 AM, Friday, Sheriff’s Parks patrol deputies coordinated an extensive search of Castaic Lake, surrounding mountains, and the Town of Castaic for Mr. Laspisa.
Joining Sheriff’s Parks patrol deputies in the search throughout and day and night were Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station deputies, the Santa Clarita Valley Search and Rescue team, Sheriff’s search/ scent K-9 dogs, and Sheriff’s patrol helicopter.
Because of the proximity of the collision to Castaic Lake, Sheriff’s Parks patrol deputies and LA County Parks and Recreation Lake Lifeguards searched Castaic Lake and the dock area by boat. The search included an LA County Parks and Recreation Lifeguard diver equipped with an LASD underwater camera to conduct an underwater exploration operation.
Deputies went to local hotels/motels in the surrounding area seeking information and notified local hospitals. Local policing jurisdictions were notified including Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation Department personnel working at the Castaic Lake Recreation Area.
During the day, Bryce Laspisa was entered into the Missing Persons computer database as a missing person.
The extensive search all day and night continued until 9:00 PM Friday, then was postponed due to darkness. On duty patrol deputies did not locate him overnight.
Throughout the weekend deputies continued to search the area of Castaic Lake. Monday, Sheriff’s Parks patrol Mounted Enforcement Detail (horseback) deputies also joined the search of remote areas in and around Castaic Lake.
The search continues today (Tuesday, Sept. 3) with a Sheriff’s helicopter again searching the area and patrol deputies on the ground. Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station deputies are also searching San Francisquito Canyon. A special sheriff’s dive team from the LASD Special Enforcement Bureau – Emergency Services Detail (http://www.SEB.lasd.org) and a dive team from Sheriff’s Parks Bureau are conducting an underwater search in Castaic Lake. A Sheriff’s search/ scent K-9 dogs and Sheriff’s patrol helicopter are again assisting in the search.
If you have any information about Bryce Laspisa, please contact Missing Persons Detail Detective Chris Carns (323) 890-5500, Homicide Bureau, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, who is handling this Missing Persons Investigation or contact your local sheriff’s station. Or if you wish to remain Anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org
Parks patrol http://www.Parks.lasd.org
Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station http://www.SantaClarita.lasd.org
