MN MN - Bryce Borca, 23, college student, seen at 2AM, search focused near Minnesota River, Eagan, 30 Oct 2022

[UltraViolet4545]

But also, I will add that it’s normal for police to not coordinate full scale volunteer foot searches for days on end (especially when it’s most likely the person is deceased). That is not abnormal. It’s usually family/friends that keep searches going by speaking out publicly and asking for help from the public. Since that is not happening here, volunteer searches are not happening. That’s just the reality.

 

[InternetGhost91]

From what I have seen, the police have not said don’t search, they just are not holding any more police sanctioned searches. Maybe they don’t have funding or manpower, maybe they think he’s in the water and searching is pointless… I don’t know.

If the family wants a large scale foot search, they need to reach out to Minnesota United and request assistance, or start speaking publicly and asking for help. If they stay quiet, nothing is going to change. Either the police will find him during a small targeted search they do in the water amongst themselves, or a member of the public will stumble across remains eventually.

All MOO

Does it cost LE money to have volunteers come search the way they did on 10/31? My understanding is that it doesn't, but I could be wrong.

It's very sad to me that the reality of missing person cases is that the responsibility is on the family to seek and find these resources. LE should be trained to deal with missing person cases, they are the professionals.

 

[lassy]

But also, I will add that it’s normal for police to not coordinate full scale volunteer foot searches for days on end (especially when it’s most likely the person is deceased). That is not abnormal. It’s usually family/friends that keep searches going by speaking out publicly and asking for help from the public. Since that is not happening here, volunteer searches are not happening. That’s just the reality.

Thanks for the info. I know little about how these missing person searches work…but learning.

 

[FruitTingles]

Bryce went missing from my neighborhood, literally from my block. I find the response from Eagan PD troubling. If Bryce was my loved one, I would be rioting. I will be out searching for him this weekend.

Please be safe, let people know where you are and thank you for what you are doing for Bryce!

 

[MadMcGoo]

Remember, if you can’t link it you can’t discuss it.

 

[Trino]

I can't link directly, but comments on the Eagan Police Department FB that they are using boats to conduct some underwater searches today on a couple locations. Hoping for some resolve and closure for his family, friends and community.

Wonder if Eagan LE is reading frustrating posts, especially about no one needed for searches. Several willing volunteers are very well qualified. Why isn't help being acknowledged?

But also, I will add that it’s normal for police to not coordinate full scale volunteer foot searches for days on end (especially when it’s most likely the person is deceased). That is not abnormal. It’s usually family/friends that keep searches going by speaking out publicly and asking for help from the public. Since that is not happening here, volunteer searches are not happening. That’s just the reality.

But, it is my understanding that reliable resources have contacted the Eagan police and have been told help is not wanted.

 

[lassy]

The area is remote so walking on private property isn't a concern, except for businesses west of Hwy 13. Hwy 13 has no trail except north starting at Lone Oak, and at that hour traffic isn't heavy. (Irony is there are plans to build a trail from Lone Oak along Hwy 13 to Nichols Rd, accessing the river.) Those businesses are working places rather than places the public would go. A tavern is at Yankee Doodle - closed at 1:00a. There have been no concerns of him with the tavern. Somehow it is known he ventured into the no man's land behind the businesses. Updates are almost non-existent. LE doesn't want searchers. Strange unless LE wants to be glory boys.

Still not sure why LE believes he ventured into no man’s land. Seems they are now open to looking at other areas or following up on other leads. IMO, I still believe he might have made his way back to the roads from that strip of trees he was in.

 

[ChatteringBirds]

I imagine L.E. is worried about safety/liability and their legal team says, Do not accept volunteers, or what other reason could there be?

I imagine his family feels the same - worry about the safety of any volunteers. JMO.

 

[lassy]

Still not sure why LE believes he ventured into no man’s land. Seems they are now open to looking at other areas or following up on other leads. IMO, I still believe he might have made his way back to the roads from that strip of trees he was in.

If he didn’t stumble in one of the ponds behind the industrial area, he could have found his way back to roads. Just curious, how good are the dogs picking up scents after days, pouring rain, etc?

 

[lassy]

If he didn’t stumble in one of the ponds behind the industrial area, he could have found his way back to roads. Just curious, how good are the dogs picking up scents after days, pouring rain, etc?

Another question. They have had boats back in those ponds a few times. Don’t know if there have been divers or sonar or what? Anyone know? I have heard the one pond is very deep. Are those holding ponds with lots of sludge, etc?

 

[InternetGhost91]

Another question. They have had boats back in those ponds a few times. Don’t know if there have been divers or sonar or what? Anyone know? I have heard the one pond is very deep. Are those holding ponds with lots of sludge, etc?

I will take some photos to post tomorrow of what the area looks like.

 

[lassy]

I will take some photos to post tomorrow of what the area looks like.

Thanks. I was going to try and get over there sometime this weekend to see also. I just don’t see him getting far from where he called his friends. And still don’t know why he would head back there farther when he knew he was lost in the tree line next to paved industrial lots. But hard to make sense of it.

 

[rosesfromangels]

I think we all know how this is likely to end.
Prove me wrong Bryce. I’d be very happy to be wrong. Find your way home please.

Amateur opinion and speculation

 

[Trino]

I imagine L.E. is worried about safety/liability and their legal team says, Do not accept volunteers, or what other reason could there be?

I imagine his family feels the same - worry about the safety of any volunteers. JMO.

This is state and county property, and no one is keeping people away. You can walk right through there at any time - would not suggest the area where he entered, however. There is an unpaved trail just before the river. People use it. I have biked it. People hike through it, although nearer to the river. You need to enter at a logical place, which he did not do, and that's where he is. The area where he entered is is not a wilderness, just remote and unused. Dakota County has started to build a paved trail along Hwy 13 to the river. It now ends at Lone Oak. Problem is money and a needed RR bridge.

 

[Trino]

I will take some photos to post tomorrow of what the area looks like.

Guessing they are sludge. Holding ponds, also called retention ponds, are usually man-made to collect rain water, which would make sense in that area because of the slope to the RR tracks. Gun Club Lake, also next to Hwy 13, is natural. I understand people to go there to fish, but it's quite a haul to get there. It once was a captains of industry fishing lake.

 

[InternetGhost91]

Can someone who's been on WS longer please clarify how we are supposed to discuss a case with linked sources when LE isn't giving updates? I want to observe website rules, but I can't link a source if the source is not giving updates.

For example, since I live in the area, if I go in person myself to take photos of the area he walked into, I obviously can't link them from a news source because they are photos I took myself. But wouldn't they be of value to the forum to give context to those outside of Minnesota of what the terrain looks like, how easy it would be for someone to get lost there in the dark, whether the lake is water or mud, etc? Thanks in advance.

 

[lassy]

Can someone who's been on WS longer please clarify how we are supposed to discuss a case with linked sources when LE isn't giving updates? I want to observe website rules, but I can't link a source if the source is not giving updates.

For example, since I live in the area, if I go in person myself to take photos of the area he walked into, I obviously can't link them from a news source because they are photos I took myself. But wouldn't they be of value to the forum to give context to those outside of Minnesota of what the terrain looks like, how easy it would be for someone to get lost there in the dark, whether the lake is water or mud, etc? Thanks in advance.

That’s been my issue too. There are points we are trying to make/discuss regarding lack of updates by PD, but get deleted due to no links supporting the statement.

 

[InternetGhost91]

It's been three days since any updates in the news. Longer for any meaningful updates by LE.

Source: Latest news article I can find is from 11/8.

Eagan police still looking for missing 23-year-old Bryce Borca - Bring Me The News

Borca was last heard from as he Facetimed friends while walking alone in the early morning of Oct. 30.

bringmethenews.com

 

[wnk]

Can someone who's been on WS longer please clarify how we are supposed to discuss a case with linked sources when LE isn't giving updates? I want to observe website rules, but I can't link a source if the source is not giving updates.

For example, since I live in the area, if I go in person myself to take photos of the area he walked into, I obviously can't link them from a news source because they are photos I took myself. But wouldn't they be of value to the forum to give context to those outside of Minnesota of what the terrain looks like, how easy it would be for someone to get lost there in the dark, whether the lake is water or mud, etc? Thanks in advance.

From the Rules section:

Locals:
We no longer verify locals. It became way too time consuming and we didn't feel it was necessary. However, if a moderator deems that a poster seems to be more of an insider than a local, we will ask that you become verified before posting information that is not in the mainstream media. Otherwise, you are free to post about your area and what you've observed.

So basically, as a local, you can state that you are local to the area and post photos, information about the area, etc, assuming that it is something that is basically "common knowledge" to people in the area -- that anyone in the area would already know or easily be able to observe or find out. Just make it clear how you're getting your information. (ie "I'm a local; I took these pictures myself on this date" or "I'm a local; I observed search helicopters at this location on this date," etc.)

Most of the rules here are just to avoid having conversation derailed by wild "the victim's third cousin's uncle who bowls with my grandma says she thinks the butler did it" hearsay and baseless rumors. If you or someone you know IS involved in the case or in the search, by getting verified you're allowed to share more specifics that may not be available in mainstream media, since you are then acting as the "source" for WS.

 

[UltraViolet4545]

Basically, heresay and rumors are against the rules. Keep information factual, link only MSM sources (no blogs, youtubers, etc). People can’t be named/discussed as suspects unless the police have formally named them as suspects. Example, can’t just go randomly accusing family members or friends of things. Discussion points and opinions have to be noted as being “your opinion” and not stated as fact. And websleuths is a victim friendly site. Keep the victim at the forefront of your mind and always err on the side of respect.

Not all the rules, but that’s off the top of my mind