Schools

UPDATED: Missing Santa Monica College Student Has Been Found, Detective Confirms

Lawrence Grillo, who disappeared for more than a week, had apparently been involved in a dispute with a roommate.

(Update on Mar. 8 at 9:36 a.m.): Missing SMC student Lawrence Grillo was found late Friday, his family said Tuesday morning, according to Los Angeles Police Department Det. Marla Ciuffetelli. Santa Monica Patch touched base with Ciuffetelli before and after she made contact with the family.

Ciuffetelli said the family told her that the formerly missing student is "in a safe environment." He had apparently turned up at a friend's house near Venice Beach.

Ciuffetelli also said that Grillo had been reported missing on Wednesday after having last been seen on Feb. 28. He had "fallen out of contact with friends and family" after an apparent dispute with a roommate, and left behind his belongings and "disappeared from the location."

Find out what's happening in Santa Monicawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Grillo had been scheduled to participate in an on-campus play at SMC.

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Find out what's happening in Santa Monicawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Lawrence Grillo, the student who had reportedly been missing for more than a week, has been found, according to one of his peers.

Grillo had reportedly last been seen attending a theater class in February, according to the school's newspaper, The Corsair. On Monday morning, one of Grillo's peers told Santa Monica Patch that Grillo "has been found." The student added that Grillo's family is not making further comments and is asking for privacy.

On Friday, the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed to Santa Monica Patch that a case related to Grillo was open. Additional information was not provided.

A teacher of Grillo, Dr. Adrianne Harrop, told The Corsair that, "He's very reliable, dependable and responsible. He's never late. He's never missed a rehearsal. But he is actually, legally, missing."

Harrop told Santa Monica Patch that Grillo's family has asked her to refrain from speaking about the student or getting involved in his apparent disappearance.

The Corsair also reported that students and faculty have been trying to contact Grillo, but to no avail. Students reportedly said Grillo's father hasn't spoken with his son for a week.

The told Santa Monica Patch that SMC campus police are handling the case.

SMC administrators have not responded to Santa Monica Patch's requests for comment.

Thanks to The Corsair for helping with this report.


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