Burned Body Discovered In Southern California May Be Missing Sierra College Student

ROSEVILLE (CBS13) — A Roseville college student who vanished nearly a week ago may be the victim of murder.

A burning body found in Southern California may be that of 19-year-old Bryce Laspisa.

He roamed the halls at Sierra College, and even classmates who never met him are worried about him.

"It's just a reality check for you. It can happen at any time," said Kristina Platonoff.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department discovered a body at the scene of a small brush fire in a remote part of the county on Wednesday. It's the same area where they were looking for Bryce after his SUV was found overturned and damaged.

His cellphone and wallet were still inside the car, but no sign of Bryce.

He was headed home to Orange County to visit his parents after he broke up with his girlfriend.

"It's so out of character," his mom, Karen Laspisa, said in an interview earlier this week. "I know all moms say they are close to their sons, but we really are close. And that's why this not knowing is heartbreaking."

As every minute goes by, it gets tougher for his family, as they wait for answers about what happened to their 19-year-old son.

Investigators say they're coming over evidence, but they hope to have the body they discovered identified by the end of the week.