SKETCH GIVES NEW HOPE CLUES SOUGHT IN CASE OF MISSING UCLA MUSIC STUDENT.

Byline: Orith Goldberg Staff Writer

A sketch released of a potential witness to the baffling disappearance of UCLA student Michael ``Mike'' Negrete more than seven months ago has given the student's family new hope, his mother said Wednesday.

The 19-year-old music major was last seen in the hallway of his dorm at University of California, Los Angeles, on Dec. 10, 1999.

Based on new information, detectives released a sketch Monday of a heavily-built man believed to be a possible witness to Negrete's disappearance. The man is described as about 35 years old and between 5 feet 7 and 5 feet 8 inches tall, investigators said.

Negrete's mother, Mary, 45, of San Diego said she hoped the sketch would spur someone with information about the man to notify Los Angeles County homicide investigators.

``After so many months of no leads, this is a pretty good one,'' she said. ``I just worry what it means.''

Negrete's father, Miguel, 50, said the new lead has perpetuated his resolve.

``This gives us some hope and strength to keep going in the search,'' he said.

The family is offering $100,000 to anyone who volunteers information leading to Negrete's whereabouts. Sheriff's investigators also said they hope locating the person on the sketch will be a step toward solving the case.

However, the length of time that Negrete has been missing without a word to his parents or two younger brothers - 14-year-old Steven and 16-year-old David - is discouraging, they said.

``There is nothing to support him still being alive,'' said Los Angeles County sheriff's Sgt. Joe Purcell.

The night Negrete disappeared, he had attended a party at a friend's dorm room across the hall from his room.

Earlier that evening, on Dec. 9, he had played in a concert and later attended the celebration which included about 15 to 20 other students. About 3:30 a.m. Dec. 10, Negrete went back to his room, played two computer games against a student who lived down the hall, met up with that student to congratulate his win and was not seen or heard from again. Negrete's belongings, including his musical instruments, shoes, jackets and wallet, remained in the room, making the case all the more baffling.

It was too cold for him to leave without shoes or a jacket, and yet, why would he be forced out?

``It's an extremely perplexing case because it doesn't seem to fit either way,'' Purcell said.

Negrete was a good student who had earned a music scholarship to attend the university.

The teen last saw his mother while visiting his family on Thanksgiving. Mary Negrete recalled the most memorable final images she had of her son.

She remembered ``Mike'' plopping down a laundry bag full of clothes with a big smile when he came home that Thanksgiving weekend. She also recalled him standing at his friend's garage with his hands in his pockets before he left, assuring his mother he would see her soon, referring to Christmas.

When Negrete failed to show up for a final exam the Monday after that Thanksgiving weekend, and no one had seen him, his family contacted the police.

Since then, Mary Negrete has been tormented by her son's disappearance. ``It's always there, it never leaves me,'' she said.

``Michael is lost for some reason and there has to be someone out there that knows something about it.''

Negrete's parents have erected a Website detailing the history of the case at www.findmikenow.com.

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