The body of a 17-year-old from Carpentersville, Illinois, has been found in a retention pond in Vernon Hills, bringing an end to the search that began following her disappearance on December 4, 2023.
The Lake County Coroner’s Office confirmed the identification of Brissa Romero, whose death is consistent with drowning. Currently, there are no signs of foul play.
Romero was last seen heading to a holiday work party at Bowlero, a bowling alley in Vernon Hills. Surveillance footage from a nearby fast-food restaurant, captured about 15 minutes before her phone’s last known location, showed Romero alone in the vehicle.
Investigations into Romero’s disappearance led authorities to a pond near Lakeview Parkway and Executive Way in Vernon Hills, where the body was retrieved on Tuesday, December 12, 2023.
Authorities pinpointed the location following analysis of her cell phone data and the discovery of a backpack belonging to Romero near the pond.
A vehicle associated with Romero, a Nissan Rogue, was retrieved two days previously from the pond, located about 60 feet from the shore and about 20 feet deep. The preliminary investigation suggested that the vehicle was accidentally driven into the pond after failing to navigate a T-intersection.
The recovery of her body from the pond was confirmed by the Carpentersville and Vernon Hills police departments. The police statement indicated that the circumstances of the incident are still under investigation.
The case drew widespread attention, with the family of Brissa Romero and the community actively participating in the search.
Her sister, Dulce Romero, expressed gratitude toward the police, volunteers, and the public for their efforts and support during the search. The family had hoped for Romero’s safe return, maintaining hope even after the vehicle was found without her inside.
