CA Slain Teen Blaze Bernstein Stabbed Multiple Times: Report

LAKE FOREST, CA -- Records show slain Orange County teen Blaze Bernstein may have wanted to pursue a relationship with now-homicide suspect Samuel Woodward. Woodward was arrested last week in connection to the murder of Bernstein, who was stabbed "more than 20 times," the Orange County Register reported.

Ivy League student Bernstein, 19, disappeared on Jan. 2 in Lake Forest, while he was home visiting his family for the holidays. His body surfaced after a rainstorm on Jan. 9.

In the days following his death, Woodward, 20, was identified as a suspect after detectives determined he was the last person to communicate with and see Bernstein.

According to investigators, Woodward picked up Bernstein late the evening of Jan. 2 and drove with him to multiple locations before the two arrived at Borrego Park. Woodward, interviewed by police, said the two were going to meet a third person at the park.

Bernstein walked to the southeast corner of the park by himself, Woodward said, while he waited for an hour for Bernstein to return, according to investigators. Woodward told investigators he then left, went to a girlfriend's house and returned a little more than an hour later to look for Bernstein but did not find him.

Investigators focused on the friend because of inconsistencies in his story, officials said.

The Orange County Register reported Monday that Bernstein told friends about his possible relationship with Woodward.

"In text conversations made in June, according to the affidavit, Bernstein told two female friends about his interaction with Woodward," the Register reported. "In one conversation, Bernstein wrote that Woodward was about to 'hit on me' and 'he made me promise not to tell anyone … but I have texted every one, uh oh.'"

Bernstein and Woodward both attended Orange County School of the Arts in Santa Ana before Bernstein went to the University of Pennsylvania.

The murder of Bernstein devastated the suburban California community, which hasn't reported a homicide in years. Family gathered Sunday to mourn the loss of the teenager where his parents urged the public to "do something good" in his memory.

--Patch reporter Ashley Ludwig contributed to this report

--Photo courtesy of Bernstein family

Also See:

Blaze Bernstein Murder: OC Officials Identify Suspect

Slain CA Teen Blaze Bernstein Remembered At Service