Missing UC Berkeley Student Found Dead One Mile From USC

(CNS/FOX 11) - A 19-year-old UC Berkeley student who disappeared after attending a party at a USC fraternity was found dead about one mile from the campus, the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed to FOX 11.

Eloi Vasquez, a Berkeley resident and UC Berkeley soccer player, disappeared about 1:30 a.m. Saturday, telling friends he was taking a walk and wanted to go to the beach. His uncle told KTVU in Northern California that Vasquez was apparently struck by a car, and he was found on a freeway on-ramp.

The family was informed at about 11 a.m., the station reported.

Today we lost a beloved member of the #CalFamily, Eloi Vasquez. We send thoughts & prayers to his family & friends. pic.twitter.com/Pq0VAEanJU

Vasquez's family had been offering a $100,000 reward for information that helps find the missing athlete.

Police said he attended a party in the 600 block of West 28th Street after traveling with friends from Northern California for spring break.

One of his friends said that Vasquez called her around 2:15 a.m., and Vasquez said he was lost and scared.

Members of his family, including his mother, Wendy Margolin, drove to Los Angeles Sunday to meet with police and take part in the search.

"It's very out of the ordinary, he's a top athlete, a soccer player at Cal,'' Margolin said. "He's very responsible, it's very unusual. That's why we drove all the way here. We're really scared. I just want to find him and know where he is.''

His mother said the young man does not have any money or ID on him.

The UC Berkeley athletics department issued a statement calling Vasquez "a wonderful young man who has excelled both academically and athletically here at Cal. Our entire Cal athletics family is very concerned for Eloi's safety and our first priority is to help in any way we can to locate him.''

Interim UC Berkeley athletic director Mike Williams called Vasquez "a wonderful young man.''

"This is a tremendous loss for our men's soccer program, our athletic department and our whole university community,'' he said. "It is a tragedy that such a promising life was taken so soon. Our thoughts and prayers are with Eloi's family, friends, teammates and coaches during this difficult time.''