The body of Blaze Bernstein, 19, a Jewish student from the University of Pennsylvania who went missing while visiting family in Southern California, was found on Tuesday in a park outside Borrego Park in Lake Forest, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
“Bernstein was last seen at about 11 PM on Jan. 2, and was reported missing by his family to Sheriff’s Department investigators on Jan. 3,” went the announcement. “Approximately 25 members of the Sheriff’s Department Search and Rescue Team surveyed the park and adjacent wilderness area Whiting Ranch on Friday Jan. 5, Saturday, Jan. 6, and Sunday, Jan. 7, as investigators actively worked the case.”
“On Tuesday afternoon, at approximately 2 PM, a search of the Foothill Ranch park was initiated by Sheriff’s investigators. Bernstein’s body was discovered in the brush surrounding the park. This case is now being investigated as a homicide. An autopsy will be performed today. No additional information regarding the cause of death or the condition of the body will be released at this time. Sheriff’s investigators are actively following multiple leads, but no suspect is in custody.”
Gideon and Jeanne Bernstein, Blaze’s parents, told a press conference at the Lake Forest sheriff’s station Wednesday afternoon: “We have just learned that the O.C. Sheriff’s Department and coroner’s office has confirmed our family’s worst fears and have positively identified our son Blaze’s body. Our family is devastated by the news. We – like so many of you around the world – love Blaze and wanted nothing more than his safe return.”
Blaze apparently met with a friend last Tuesday and they drove to Borrego Park, where Blaze got out of the car at around 11 PM and went into the park. That’s when he disappeared, according to the sheriff’s department.