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

[shortie05986]

I haven’t posted, but we have gone out and looked as recently as last week. I do believe he is still out there. From looking at the maps and photos, it’s like… this isn’t THAT large an area, it shouldn’t be hard to find him. Just get out there and walk.

However once you get on site, it is seriously such difficult and expansive terrain, it feels hopeless. Uneven ground, THICK brush and grasses, covered in burrs and prickly plants, mucky ground, water… you have to pick your way step by step and it’s very slow going.

In addition to the terrain, there is evidence of transient people (like someone else said) and for lack of a better word, it feels creepy. Searching definitely best done in a large group.

Personally, I think there’s some internal issue of Eagan PD vs Bryce is actually missing on state park land. Since the terrain is so challenging and dangerous, it’s not Eagan PD jurisdiction, and his family isn’t doing interviews or making public demands, the case has stalled.

Yes, it’s a populated area, but the actual chunk of ground where Bryce is presumed to be is not. People bike and hike the trails and paths, the businesses are right there, the highway… but 5 feet north of the railroad tracks? Nobody goes out there.

If someone really wanted to get a search going, I think a private party would need to drum up 200-300 people. Have them in tall rubber boots and suitable clothing, then fan out and pick their way across the area in a line. Where all these people would park, I don’t know.

Again, it’s really difficult ground. I last searched in tall water proof muck boots. They are heavy and difficult to walk in, a huge long train went by so I had to stand down in the burrs, etc. The parking situation is bad. You can park in one of the business lots (which all say permit only) and hope your car is safe, in the little greenway lot and hike directly through several hundred feet of thick thick burrs to get to the rr tracks, or the frontage rd parallel to cedar which took me an hour to hike down to the area via the tracks.

Is there a possibility he found the tracks and followed those? Just thinking, if I am drunk and don't know where I am, I would follow the train tracks. Thats gonna hopefully lead me somewhere I know.

 

[Trino]

Is there a possibility he found the tracks and followed those? Just thinking, if I am drunk and don't know where I am, I would follow the train tracks. Thats gonna hopefully lead me somewhere I know.

Tracks were walked for a couple of miles, investigated. No sign of him. I was bicyling the trail by the river when I saw LE and family along the tracks. As I recall, there was one train through there - much later, not even around the time he disappeared. The engineer was contacted with no info.

 

[Trino]

I haven’t posted, but we have gone out and looked as recently as last week. I do believe he is still out there. From looking at the maps and photos, it’s like… this isn’t THAT large an area, it shouldn’t be hard to find him. Just get out there and walk.

However once you get on site, it is seriously such difficult and expansive terrain, it feels hopeless. Uneven ground, THICK brush and grasses, covered in burrs and prickly plants, mucky ground, water… you have to pick your way step by step and it’s very slow going.

In addition to the terrain, there is evidence of transient people (like someone else said) and for lack of a better word, it feels creepy. Searching definitely best done in a large group.

Personally, I think there’s some internal issue of Eagan PD vs Bryce is actually missing on state park land. Since the terrain is so challenging and dangerous, it’s not Eagan PD jurisdiction, and his family isn’t doing interviews or making public demands, the case has stalled.

Yes, it’s a populated area, but the actual chunk of ground where Bryce is presumed to be is not. People bike and hike the trails and paths, the businesses are right there, the highway… but 5 feet north of the railroad tracks? Nobody goes out there.

If someone really wanted to get a search going, I think a private party would need to drum up 200-300 people. Have them in tall rubber boots and suitable clothing, then fan out and pick their way across the area in a line. Where all these people would park, I don’t know.

Again, it’s really difficult ground. I last searched in tall water proof muck boots. They are heavy and difficult to walk in, a huge long train went by so I had to stand down in the burrs, etc. The parking situation is bad. You can park in one of the business lots (which all say permit only) and hope your car is safe, in the little greenway lot and hike directly through several hundred feet of thick thick burrs to get to the rr tracks, or the frontage rd parallel to cedar which took me an hour to hike down to the area via the tracks.

You are so right on. Your analogy of 5 ft away the terrain changes is really accurate. Blue Cross Blue Shield lot has parking - a short walk away.

What makes me think he isn't there are a couple of things: 1. the state park has not closed off the area. Wouldn't you think if a body was thought to be located there, the area would be closed? 2. There is a paved trail being built almost exactly where he disappeared. Who would do that, and nobody seems concerned about it. 3. LE isn't saying anything. 4. LE isn't doing much searching. 5. Have not heard of private searches.

I suspect thoughts are he was picked up. No idea why someone would pick him up, but bets are if he was offered a ride, he would have taken it. Although there is traffic during daylight hours, at the hour he disappear, there isn't much. Another possibility is the Gun Club area - homeless, creepy. He could very well be in that area, and no one is looking there. Strange case.

Youu mentioned the area where he disappeared as state vs Eagan. Why aren't state investigators involved? Are they?

 

[concernedResident]

I see a few references to transients... is it possible Bryce stumbled across some transients and they harmed him and disposed of any trace of him?

 

[Trino]

I see a few references to transients... is it possible Bryce stumbled across some transients and they harmed him and disposed of any trace of him?

At this point in the investigation IMO everything should be suspect.

 

[Trino]

I just want to know the opinions of the Eagan PD. Why aren't they saying one thing about the case?

 

[cenazoic]

Didn’t see this posted yet (2 Nov 2024):

https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/bryce-borcas-family-marks-two-years-since-his-disappearance-in-eagan?fbclid=IwY2xjawHaZ6hleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHQ-RtWLH0OYKuuJGtTJlrE7KLbOyv7xhSXS9qS0VaTGbxSfMr_ECZGmoMA_aem_OZH8oR0SbLeNjtUoX1YpPA

“Borca’s parents also stated that search measures have continued in the last year, including ground and water searches in the marshy areas around Borca’s last known location.”

I was rereading the thread this morning, thinking about going out for another look-around while temps are relatively warmish (for Minnesota) and little snow on the ground.

I was struck again by the rapidness that the foundation was set up (within 45 days of his going missing) and from this post @PommyMommy early on in the search, which notes, among other things, that “The Chief won't say exactly what police think happened to Bryce except they have a bit of information that they're keeping quiet out of respect for his family.”

So as others have speculated, it seems likely that early on they (and the family) had some piece of evidence that lead to a reasonable conclusion of death, even in the absence of a body. It also leads one (or me, at least) to speculate that BB’s death was due to suicide vs misadventure/foul play.

In any case, it does sound like the family is still searching for him, quietly.

 

[Marzipan]

Didn’t see this posted yet (2 Nov 2024):

https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/bryce-borcas-family-marks-two-years-since-his-disappearance-in-eagan?fbclid=IwY2xjawHaZ6hleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHQ-RtWLH0OYKuuJGtTJlrE7KLbOyv7xhSXS9qS0VaTGbxSfMr_ECZGmoMA_aem_OZH8oR0SbLeNjtUoX1YpPA

“Borca’s parents also stated that search measures have continued in the last year, including ground and water searches in the marshy areas around Borca’s last known location.”

I was rereading the thread this morning, thinking about going out for another look-around while temps are relatively warmish (for Minnesota) and little snow on the ground.

I was struck again by the rapidness that the foundation was set up (within 45 days of his going missing) and from this post @PommyMommy early on in the search, which notes, among other things, that “The Chief won't say exactly what police think happened to Bryce except they have a bit of information that they're keeping quiet out of respect for his family.”

So as others have speculated, it seems likely that early on they (and the family) had some piece of evidence that lead to a reasonable conclusion of death, even in the absence of a body. It also leads one (or me, at least) to speculate that BB’s death was due to suicide vs misadventure/foul play.

In any case, it does sound like the family is still searching for him, quietly.

Heartbreaking. They are trying.

 

[acutename]

MN Greenway proposed trail:
View attachment 526810

Is the location of his apt that he would supposedly have been going to on this map?
And, was there water deep enough to have covered his head if he was stumbling around in the swamp?

 

[D@NK0NE]

Is the location of his apt that he would supposedly have been going to on this map?
And, was there water deep enough to have covered his head if he was stumbling around in the swamp?

No. The apartment he was walking to was Promenade Oaks, off Yankee Doodle and Lexington.
Yes. There are both shallow and deeper bodies of water in the general location.

 

[Trino]

Is the location of his apt that he would supposedly have been going to on this map?
And, was there water deep enough to have covered his head if he was stumbling around in the swamp?

His apartment was about 2 miles away from where he supposedly disappeared. He went the wrong way on Yankee Doodle (maybe). The water was deep enough then, but in summer water drains somewhat. No evidence of him in pond search.

 

[cenazoic]

I don’t disagree. It reminds me of the Jessica Jo Marshik case, where there was also a lot of silence from the family and friends; shame over suicide maybe? I can’t pretend to know.

 

[Trino]

Do you suppose the friends have a decent idea what happened? Did something happen or did someone or B say something that would be important before he started his walk? Was he angry? Depressed? Did something happen during the evening? Did he reference anything or anyone? Were the friends close or just acquaintances? Answers to these questions would help.

 

[lassy]

Do you suppose the friends have a decent idea what happened? Did something happen or did someone or B say something that would be important before he started his walk? Was he angry? Depressed? Did something happen during the evening? Did he reference anything or anyone? Were the friends close or just acquaintances? Answers to these questions would help.

We don't know. Guessing parents, friends and LE do know. I do know the friends were close friends though.

 

[momsof3]

<modsnip: Quoted post was removed>
The parents set up a foundation to honor their son. They have continued to search year after year. Yes, they have not made a push for media coverage nor started go-fun-mes. But their actions seem completely appropriate and respectful to me - they certainly haven't forgotten about their son. My sister died of an accident when we were both teens and my parents too started a scholarship. My parents did not blame the driver, it truly was an accident, they chose to pray for him instead. Everyone grieves differently.

 

[cenazoic]

@momsof3 - fair enough. For me, it’s nothing do with how or why he went missing, it just bothers me so much that someone’s remains are out in the (real/metaphorical) woods alone and forlorn, and want them to find their way home. But it’s a good reminder that he is not ‘mine’, he is his parents’, if anyone’s, and they are doing what they think is most respectful and honorable for him.

 

[ChatteringBirds]

I don’t disagree. It reminds me of the Jessica Jo Marshik case, where there was also a lot of silence from the family and friends; shame over suicide maybe? I can’t pretend to know.

There shouldn't be shame when someone takes their life (or overdoses or has a misadventure after drinking or...) But our society is unfortunately so judgmental, and that adds to families' pain. Maybe they just don't want the judgments from complete strangers.

Also they may not want the public to help search because it could be dangerous for the public. So they quietly organize private searches. JMO.

 

[Trino]

Is there a possibility he found the tracks and followed those? Just thinking, if I am drunk and don't know where I am, I would follow the train tracks. Thats gonna hopefully lead me somewhere I know.

 

[Trino]

How about follow the tracks to Gun Club Lake? Why haven't extensive searches been done there? Homeless, transient population at Gun Club.
It's also not that far from Letendre Dr to the paved Lone Oak Trail.

There shouldn't be shame when someone takes their life (or overdoses or has a misadventure after drinking or...) But our society is unfortunately so judgmental, and that adds to families' pain. Maybe they just don't want the judgments from complete strangers.

Also they may not want the public to help search because it could be dangerous for the public. So they quietly organize private searches. JMO.

Doubt he committed suicide. He called friends, indicating he was lost, plus difficult to hide your own body in the middle of a swamp and not be found.

He was very drunk. Chances are he was stumbling around, disoriented. Maybe someone picked him up, maybe he was able to make it to Gun Club Lake or the Lone Oak Trail.

 

[Chimera]

I wonder why the search is focused near the Minnesota River? This doesn't sound good.

Agreed.

I'm new to this case but again the river nearby sounds bad.
How many young men have been found in rivers ?
I hope that's not the case here.
It's been nearly three years now, though.
Omo.