Brissa Romero: Body found in Vernon Hills pond identified
The body pulled from a retention pond in the Chicago suburbs has been identified as 17-year-old Brissa Romero who went missing early last week.
The Lake County Coroner’s Office confirmed Wednesday that the body was that of Brissa Romero.
“Preliminary autopsy results indicate that there were no significant injuries and that Brissa Romero’s death is consistent with drowning,” the coroner’s office said in a statement.
When an officer initially arrived at the pond to conduct a search, a pedestrian alerted him to something she spotted.
That backpack belonged to Brissa, police said.
After an extensive search on the ground and through the air using a drone, police on Monday, Dec. 11, began searching a pond in Vernon Hills – located near the intersection of Lakeview Parkway and Executive Way. That is where they recovered Brissa’s vehicle, the Nissan Rogue.
Body believed to be Brissa Romero recovered from pond
A body was recovered from a retention pond Tuesday morning in Vernon Hills where the car of missing 17-year-old Brissa Romero plunged into the water over a week ago.
The youngest of five siblings, Brissa graduated from Barrington High School last spring.
Brissa’s family prayed at the Shrine of Our Lady Guadalupe on Tuesday night, a symbol that stands for miracles and strength.
“We just spoke to the priest, and they were able to give us her blessing and was able to speak with us. Just calm our nerves down a little bit more, and if that is Brissa, then she’s in good hands with our Virgin Mary,” said Dulce.
Her brother, Jesus, said he searched Chicagoland for his baby sister.
“It’s just crazy how the community can come together during such a devastating story, and it just represents how strong everybody can be when they are all united,” said Dulce.
