Body Of Missing College Student Found At Borrego Park

LAKE FOREST, CA — The week-long search for a missing 19-year-old college student came to a tragic end as authorities confirmed his body was found in a 2500-acre Orange County park this week. Investigators believe that Blaze Bernstein was murdered based upon the evidence found at the scene. The young man's body was discovered Tuesday afternoon Borrego Park, which is five minutes from his family’s home.

"Bernstein's body was discovered at approximately 2 p.m. in the brush surrounding (Borrego) park,” Orange County Sheriff’s Department, Chief of Police Services Lt. Brad Valentine told Patch Wednesday. Though that area was searched on foot and with search and rescue dogs on and off since last Thursday, the body was not discovered until after Tuesday's rainfall. Valentine declined to comment about the condition of Blaze's body when found, but added that "the rain did help us with locating him."

It is believed the teen was killed the night of his disappearance, Valentine said. He declined to comment about what type of evidence led investigators to conclude Blaze was murdered, but acknowledged that violence is a rarity in the small Orange County community.

"There have been no homicides in Lake Forest in the four years that I have been Chief of Police Services," he said. "Lake Forest has a reputation of being a safe community, and we will do everything in our power to keep it that way."

Homicide detectives have been following leads and interviewing persons of interest since Blaze's initial disappearance, and on Wednesday a search warrant was served in relation to the investigation at a Newport Beach residence. There is no suspect in custody at this time, according to Valentine.

"We cannot comment on the person of interest, but we feel there is no direct threat to Lake Forest at this time," Valentine said. Blaze's autopsy was to be performed Wednesday, according to Valentine.

Bernstein, who was home for the holidays visiting family in Southern California while on break from the University of Pennsylvania, went missing on Jan. 2. A massive search was launched for the teen after his parents reported him missing a day later, amid suspicious circumstances.

"On Tuesday afternoon, at approximately 2 p.m. a search of the Foothill Ranch area park was initiated by Sheriff's Investigators," OCSD Public Information Manager Carrie Braun said in a statement.

Braun said about 25 sheriff’s officials canvassed the park and adjacent wilderness area known as Whiting Ranch for three days while a team of investigators followed up on hundreds of leads. Homicide investigators led the search for Bernstein, and surveillance video, phone records, interviews are all being reviewed as part of the investigation, Braun said.

The teen was reported missing after he left home without his keys, wallet, eyeglasses or medication, according to his family. He apparently went to the park with a high school friend to meet up with a third person at about 10:30 p.m. The friend left the car to use the park restroom late Jan. 2, and didn't see or hear from Bernstein after that, according to reports.

After sending several text messages and not hearing back, the friend left. He returned to the park at 4 a.m., said Annee Della Donna, an attorney and friend of the family. Eventually, the location device on Bernstein's phone stopped functioning and the phone turned off, Della Donna said.

As of Wednesday's press conference, that friend, who is the last person that saw the teen alive, is not currently considered a suspect in the death, according to Valentine. Reports also say that Bernstein was using the Snapchat phone application to chat with a friend, which does not save past chats.

A news conference Wednesday allowed Bernstein's parents, Gideon and Jeanne Bernstein, to share their appreciation for the OCSD and community's efforts in finding Blaze, and grief. A memorial fund was established in Blaze's memory at the Jewish Community Foundation of Orange County.

"This money will be contributed toward the Orangewood Foundation," Blaze's father, Gideon Bernstein, said. "Do something that will perpetuate his memory, this young bright soul."

Gideon Bernstein serves as the president of the Jewish Community Foundation of Orange County.

"Our hearts and condolences go out to the Bernstein family," OCSD Lt. Brad Valentine said.

Sheriff's investigators are actively following multiple leads, however no suspects have been identified or are currently in custody.

This is a developing story. Refresh the page for updates.

Photo, courtesy Gideon Bernstein