Need the 48 bit locker encryption code

did you check AD?  maybe the key is stored with the computer account

otherwise, if you have no record of it, looks like you won't get anywhere

If you/he didn't backup the code, it might be in his Microsoft account or in Active Directory if your network was configured to save it.  If not, you can go to backups of the laptop - afterall, what would he have done if the laptop was stolen or the hard drive crashed - he must have backups, right?  Bitlocker would be useless if you could bypass it without the encryption code.

Art, we should look at your environment, first.

As written by slightwv, if that machine was a domain member, the key cannot be within a Microsoft account (unless that machine was used with an MS account and encrypted already before it was joined to the domain). Íf it's domain-joined, you would normally have Bitlocker rolled out though scripts or tools and the admin would know where the keys are kept.

Questions for you to follow. Please answer those so we can better assist.

Is this machine AD joined?
Is any other machine bitlocked in your network? If yes, do those users know who bitlocked the machines?
Is there any other admin or old documentation that you can ask/search for the present Bitlocker procedures?
Was the machine used with a MIcrosoft account (ever)? Then follow the previous link to search for the key.

If you have no backups and feel desperate about the boss' data (I don't hope so), you should also query the partition for the Bitlocker protectors that were used. If you are lucky, a separate protector (startup key file) was set up. That would be a file, usually saved to a usb stick, that can unlock the machine by simply inserting it before startup.
To query that, boot windows setup from USB, when at the language selection prompt, press Shift F10 to get a command prompt, and there, launch the command
manage-bde -protectors -get c:
and share the output with us.

Lastly: what defect does the laptop show? possibly, only the display and/or the keyboard is dead - that would be NO problem. You could then put the drive back in, connect both an external monitor and keyboard AND the machine will just start like normal, allowing you to logon and backup your data. ONLY if the mainboard is truly dead, you will not be able to boot.

you can also replace the keynoard; or try to clean it.
This needs to disassemble most laptops; usually i try to clean it with warm water and a soft brush - then dry it with a hairdryer or over a heater ( not too close!)

The laptop does not turn on. I removed the nvme m.2 drive and am trying to extract the data on another computer using an external enclosure. The drive is good cause I’m getting the “bit locker” encryption messsage. The Laptop is used as a stand-alone and does not use the AD.

Art, what about your comment makes it a solution? I am asking this as topic advisor. Askers should clarify when a question is solved and share what solved it, after they have received experts' comments.

My mistake. I don’t have a solution yet

Ah, ok.
Could you please give me some feedback on my other suggestions, as well?

The laptop is a HP pavilion 15 purchased in Costco. My boss swears that he never asked for the data to be encrypted. But when I place the nvme m.2 drive in an external enclosure to be read on another computer, the bit locker message appears. When I push the power on button on the laptop, it just flashes white with no other activity. When I attach an external monitor and keyboard, nothing happens. I’m thinking about dismantling and cleaning all the parts, then reassembling it and praying that it comes to life. It’s a shame, because I know the hard drive is good. But like I said, my boss swears he never encrypted the data but it keeps asking for a 48 character recovery key.  He has no backups and the computer is only 6 months old.

Again you close this question by selecting answers?
Please read my suggestions and answer all the questions within.