CARPENTERSVILLE, IL – The week-long search for missing teenager Brissa Romero has culminated in the tragic discovery of a body in a retention pond. Law enforcement authorities believe the remains to be those of the 17-year-old Carpentersville resident.
Romero vanished on December 4 whilst on her way to a holiday party for work at a bowling alley in Vernon Hills. Emergency crews inspected the pond, located roughly 45 miles north of Chicago, after Romero’s phone data directed them there. Surveillance footage from a restaurant in proximity showed Romero parking her vehicle and entering the eatery alone, departing just 15 minutes prior to her phone’s last ping in the vicinity of the pond.
In a significant turn, a local reported a backpack that seemed to have floated to the shore of the pond. The backpack was found to hold “identifying information.” Further to this, Romero’s SUV was discovered submerged in the pond on Monday night.
During a press meeting, Vernon Hills Chief of Police Patrick Kreis remarked, “Based on the condition of the vehicle and all the evidence we have at this point, it appears that Brissa was in that vehicle when it drove into the [pond].”
The search operation resumed early Tuesday, during which a female body, matching Romero’s description, was retrieved. An official confirmation from the Lake County Coroner’s Office is still awaited.
Investigators are leaning towards the theory that Romero unexpectedly drove into the pond, following the loss of control over her Nissan Rogue. As it stands, foul play is not suspected, although the probe remains ongoing.
Romero, a graduate of Barrington High School, was in the process of studying ultrasound technology at Harper College, while also working two jobs.