Missing College Student on Vacation Found Dead Near Orange County Park

LAKE FOREST – The 19-year-old student from the University of Pennsylvania who returned home to California for winter break and went missing has been found deceased.

Blaze Bernstein was a sophomore in college and during his return home left the home to hang out with one of his friends to Borrego Park. He was last seen by his friend at around 11:00 p.m. when his friend said he went to use the restroom, and when he came out Bernstein was gone. The family of Bernstein reported him missing on January 3rd. A 25-member search by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Search and Rescue Team was conducted on Friday, January 5th, Saturday, January 6th, and Sunday, January 7th. The search included surveying areas including the wilderness area Whiting Ranch.

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At around 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 9th during a search of the Foothill Ranch park, Bernstein’s body was found in the brush surrounding the park. A homicide investigation is now underway. An autopsy will be conducted on Wednesday, meanwhile, no other information is being released. No suspect is in custody at this time, but investigators are following multiple leads.

The investigation is ongoing, anyone with information should contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at 714-647-7000. Anonymous tips may also be submitted to Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS.