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Couple Searches For Son, 19, After His Car Found Overturned Near Castaic Lake

CASTAIC LAKE (CBSLA.com) — The parents of Bryce Laspisa are desperate to find their 19-year-old son after his SUV was found overturned near Santa Clarita.

Laspisa left Northern California Wednesday night after breaking up with his girlfriend.

Initially, the Laguna Niguel college student didn't tell his parents he was making the long road trip. They found out when Laspisa called for roadside assistance during the drive.

Laspisa's parents said they finally spoke with him when he was leaving Buttonwillow at 11 p.m. and they kept calling to make sure he was okay.

"He called me again at 2:08 a.m. [Friday] on my cell phone and said, 'Mom, I pulled off the 5 [Freeway]. I'm going to sleep in my car,'" said Laspisa's mother, Karen.

She never heard from her son after that.

Authorities found his Toyota Highlander overturned at Castaic Lake on the main boat launch access road. When they searched the vehicle they found his cell phone, wallet and laptop inside. The rear window was broken, which police say was done with an emergency tool that was kept in the center console. Some blood was also found in the vehicle.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's homicide division is now handling the case which they say is standard in a situation like this.

None of it makes sense to Laspisa's parents.

"It's so out of character. I know all moms say they're close to their sons, but we really are close," said his mother, Karen.

"We're still hopeful somebody may see him," said Laspisa's father, Mike.

Mike and Karen Laspisa say they're going to keep searching and have reached out to the public on Facebook.

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