The Prosecutors – Episode 340: The Strange Disappearance of Bryce Laspisa, Part 2

Date Aired: December 16, 2025
Episode Focus: The mysterious 2013 disappearance of Bryce Laspisa, with an in-depth timeline, analysis of key decisions, theories, and lessons on intervention in crisis.
Hosts: Brett and Alice

Overview

In this episode, Brett and Alice conclude their two-part investigation into the baffling disappearance of Bryce Laspisa. Revisiting the final 36 hours before Bryce vanished, they meticulously analyze his erratic behavior, the actions (and inactions) of his family and friends, and the possible explanations for his fate. Leveraging their prosecutorial insight, the hosts emphasize red flags, lost opportunities for intervention, and the enduring mystery at the heart of this case.

“In a world of not Christians, be Christian. If you see somebody in crisis…do what you can.”
— Brett (66:28)

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Timeline Review and Red Flags

• Bryce’s Deterioration: (02:14)
  • Bryce returns to college exhibiting uncharacteristic behavior—substance abuse (alcohol, Vyvanse), erratic actions, giving away personal items, abruptly breaking up with his girlfriend.
  • Girlfriend and roommate call his mother, expressing deep concern over his safety.
• The Aimless Drive: (02:14–04:03)
  • Bryce embarks on a drive from Northern to Southern California, intended to take 6 hours but extending far longer.
  • He runs out of gas in Buttonwillow; Christian (tire shop worker) repeatedly checks on him.
• Passive Parental Response: (04:03–06:27)
  • Despite alarming signals (e.g., Bryce sitting stationary for hours, vague explanations), Bryce’s parents remain at home rather than intervening.
• Police Contact, Still No Resolution: (07:04–12:56)
  • At the parents’ behest, police conduct a welfare check. Bryce is coherent, passes a sobriety test, and “just needed to blow off some steam.”
  • He exhibits reluctance speaking to his mother; police facilitate the call.
  • Christian finds Bryce still stationary, 11 hours after initially running out of gas.
  • Christian follows Bryce for 10 miles to ensure he’s truly heading home.

“He’s so obviously been lying the whole time…Even a stranger who doesn’t know him is like, something’s not right.”
— Alice (24:22)

2. Last Known Movements

• Nighttime Confusion: (15:43–19:48)
  • Series of calls from and to his mother as Bryce drives. He offers inconsistent updates, claims to be lost, and says he’ll arrive at 3:25 am.
  • At 2:09 am, Bryce says he's too tired to continue and will pull over to sleep.
• Surveillance Footage:
  • 2:15 am: Bryce’s car seen headed up Lake Hughes Road near Castaic Lake.
  • 4:29 am: Same car passes again on surveillance—still on Lake Hughes Road, same direction.
• Discovery of the Car: (27:57)
  • ~5:30 am, Bryce’s SUV is found crashed at the bottom of a 25-foot embankment near Castaic Lake.
  • Back window is broken from the inside; laptop, phone, duffel bag, and wallet left at the scene.
  • Small amount of blood found, but no Bryce.

“It is incredible that despite falling down a 25-foot cliff and crashing onto its side, Bryce was able to escape, because he was not found in the vehicle.”
— Alice (27:57)

3. The Search & Aftermath

• Law Enforcement Response: (29:28–32:10)
  • Immediate area search with dogs, divers, helicopters, ATVs—no sign of Bryce.
• False Alarms:
  • 5 days later: Burned body discovered nearby turns out to be unrelated; unidentified skull found in 2017 is also not Bryce.
• Operating Theories: (43:08–57:43)
  • Suicide: Most logical on face, given behavior and attempt to drive into the lake—but absence of a body complicates the theory.
  • Runaway: Less plausible, but possible (leaving all possessions behind to start anew).
  • Foul Play: Considered, but no evidence supports this.
  • Amnesia from head injury: Some speculate he might not know his identity, but no confirmed sightings or hospital intakes.
• A Lie or Missing Piece: (57:43–64:05)
  • Hosts obtain convincing information that Bryce was not Mike’s biological son, contradicting the oft-repeated “only child” narrative. Whether this played a role in his unraveling is unknown, but its omission is “interesting” in context.

“The mystery of this case to me is why you could send so many signals and not get a response.”
— Brett (38:10)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Parental Inaction:

  • “There are so many points in this case where in any other case…one thing happened, it would trigger a massive response. But in this case just thing after thing…and there is no response.”
    — Brett (06:27)
  • “There is no defending what his parents have done....We’re 24 hours into this adventure and multiple times his parents have had opportunities to take decisive action…and they just refuse to do it.”
    — Brett (18:18)

• On Crisis Recognition:

  • “It’s along the lines of see something, say something, but more so—do something if you can.”
    — Alice (68:52)
  • “The only way to fix it is to be more Christian—to be the person who smiles and says hello…and to recognize when something may be wrong and then do something about it.”
    — Alice (69:33)

• On Theories:

  • “Of all the cases we’ve ever done, this is the one where maybe [running away] could have happened…It is incredibly difficult…but it is a possibility.”
    — Brett (47:22)

• On the Unknowable Motivation:

  • “There is a part of this story that is a mystery. There is a big chunk…we don’t have. If we did…it might explain a lot.”
    — Brett (79:09)

Timestamps of Important Segments

• 00:44: Episode begins with recap and set up.
• 02:14–04:03: Full context and review of Bryce’s alarming behavior and timeline.
• 06:27–07:04: Mounting parental and investigative red flags.
• 08:35–12:56: Police encounter, search of Bryce’s car, Christian’s crucial role.
• 15:43–19:48: The confusing night of Bryce’s “last known” movements.
• 24:20–27:57: Host analysis: repeated lying, why even strangers saw the crisis.
• 27:57–29:28: Car crash discovered, details of scene.
• 29:28–32:10: Search efforts, discovery of unrelated bodies.
• 43:08–57:43: Theories and critical examination of each possible fate.
• 57:43–64:05: Revelations about Bryce’s family—”the lie” and potential psychological relevance.
• 66:25–69:33: Takeaways, lessons for listeners about crisis intervention.
• 79:09: Episode conclusion & reflections on remaining unknowns.

Final Reflections & Takeaways

Key Lessons:

• Continually assess and act upon red flags when someone is in crisis; numerous missed opportunities compounded the tragedy.
• The “bystander effect” should be resisted—be the person who checks in, like Christian, rather than rationalizing inaction.
• Even if you fear overreacting or embarrassment, it is better to intervene and err on the side of caution.

Unanswered Questions:

• Why did Bryce act the way he did for 36 hours—what was his true mindset, and did family secrets play a role?
• Will we ever know the real catalyst behind his crisis?

Closing Message

“If you have any information, you can always contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s office at 323-890-5500.”
— Brett (64:05)

Brett and Alice conclude that while the physical fate of Bryce Laspisa remains unknown, the real “lesson” is about human connection, intervention, and not ignoring signs of desperate need. The final call to action: Be a “Christian”—the person who takes steps in the face of uncertainty.

Resources

• Prosecutors Podcast Website
• Contact Authorities if you have tips
• Case Art by Hannah Hill

(For more detailed context, consult the specific timestamped sections above.)