Illinois teen found dead after going missing on her way to holiday party
12/12/2023 1:08 pm PST
VERNON HILLS, Ill. (TCD) -- A 17-year-old old was found dead several days after she went missing and one day after her car was discovered inside a retention pond.
Brissa Romero was last seen Monday, Dec. 4, and was believed to be near the Bowlero bowling alley in Vernon Hills. She was reportedly on her way to a holiday party when she disappeared.
The Vernon Hills and Carpentersville police departments held a joint press conference Monday, Dec. 11, and said the two offices are working closely together in the investigation.
According to Vernon Hills Police Chief Patrick Kreis, investigators obtained Romero’s cellphone data and used that information to track her last known movements, which eventually led them to a retention pond near Executive Way and Lakeview Parkway in Vernon Hills.
An officer arrived at pond and spoke with a resident in the area who pointed out a backpack floating near the shore. The officer took possession of the backpack and determined it belonged to Romero.
Officials started a "more intense investigation" after the discovery and put their focus on the pond, Kreis said. During the search, officials located Romero’s Nissan Rogue. Romero, however, was not in the vehicle.
Kreis said evidence at the scene and the condition of the car point to the conclusion that she was most likely in the vehicle when it went into the pond.
He said, "We have not recovered Brissa, but we will continue every effort to do that."
According to Kreis, detectives believe Romero was alone because surveillance footage from a nearby fast-food restaurant showed her parking, walking inside, walking out, and driving away. No one else was with her. The stop at the fast-food restaurant occurred about 15 minutes before her last cellphone ping.
On Tuesday, Dec. 12, the Vernon Hills and Carpentersville police departments announced investigators recovered a body amid the search and said the "female recovered from the pond matches Brissa’s description."
Police do not suspect foul play was involved in her death.
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