Authorities have found what they believe to be a missing girl’s SUV submerged in a pond, yet there’s no apparent indication of her whereabouts. Reporter Kris Habermehl of Chicago CBS affiliate WBBM said that the Nissan Rogue identified as belonging to Brissa Romero, 17, was empty.
The Nissan Rogue, identified as belonging to missing teen, Brissa Romero, has been recovered. The vehicle was pulled out of a pond at Executive Way & Lakeview Pkwy, near the last traced cellular data. The vehicle was empty & a search will continue. More at https://t.co/vhbRxCdj7J pic.twitter.com/GdqKQ1cVkf
— Kris Habermehl (@KrisHabermehl) December 11, 2023
Her whereabouts, however, are unknown, but police now say they think Romero was in the SUV when it plunged in the water, according to Chicago Fox affiliate WFLD.
Brissa Romero went missing on Dec. 4, 2023, while on the way to a holiday work party in the Chicago suburb of Vernon Hills, Illinois, authorities said. Pictured here is her gray 2008 Nissan Rouge with Illinois license plate CZ64618. (Images: Village of Cartersville Public Safety)
They base this on newly discovered surveillance footage from a fast food restaurant in which she entered the establishment, soon walked out alone, and got into her Nissan. Her phone last pinged 15 minutes later near the pond, they reportedly said.
Also, a pedestrian told cops about finding a backpack that had washed up. It was Romero’s, police said.
The search is ongoing.
Romero disappeared last Monday, Dec. 4, on her way to a holiday work party at the Bowlero bowling alley in the Chicago suburb of Vernon Hills, Illinois. Authorities have said her cellphone pinged in the area, but the teenager never showed up.
The Village of Carpentersville Public Safety, one of the law enforcement agencies looking for her, has said she was seen on surveillance footage visiting a family member in Des Plaines, Illinois, wearing a green shirt and black pants.
Her family shared surveillance footage, reportedly showing Romero dropping by her job in the Chicago suburb of Schaumburg to pick up an iPad. That was right before 7 p.m. on the day she disappeared.
“Brissa does not have a history of running away from home,” cops have said.
By all accounts, Romero was close to her family. Though 17, she had already graduated from high school and was going to Harper College, studying to become a sonogram nurse. She was working two jobs to pay for classes.
Police describe Brissa as standing an even 5 feet and weighing approximately 115 pounds.
RIGHT NOW: Chopper 2 above an active search for 17-year-old Brissa Romero of Carpentersville. She hasn’t been seen since last Monday after she didn’t show up to a holiday party at a Vernon Hills Bowling Alley. Her family is desperate for answers and offering a $14K reward. pic.twitter.com/7vlqk6wana
— Darius Johnson (DJ) (@DariusJohnsonTV) December 11, 2023
Cops have asked anyone with information on Romero’s whereabouts to call Sgt. Webb at 847-551-3481 or QuadCom Dispatch 847-428-8784.
Have a tip we should know? [email protected]
