**Breaking News: The Disappearance of Alexis Patterson Remains a Chilling Mystery After 22 Years**

In a haunting case that has gripped Milwaukee for over two decades, 7-year-old Alexis Patterson vanished without a trace on May 3, 2002, leaving her family and the community in perpetual anguish. On that fateful day, Alexis left her home with her stepfather for what should have been a routine walk to High Mount Community School. Witnesses reported seeing her enter the schoolyard, but she never made it inside.

As the clock ticked on that spring day, panic set in when her mother, Ayana, learned Alexis had not attended school. The frantic search began immediately, with police canvassing the area and interviewing witnesses, but no leads emerged. Initial theories suggested Alexis might have run away due to an argument over cupcakes the night before, but this was met with disbelief by those who knew her.

As the investigation dragged on, the focus shifted from possible external threats—like a suspicious truck seen in the area—to those closest to Alexis. Her stepfather, Luron, became a person of interest, especially after failing a polygraph test. Despite a history of arrests and drug offenses, the authorities could not gather enough evidence to charge him, and soon the case went cold.

In the years that followed, Ayana tirelessly advocated for her daughter’s case, but national media attention eluded them, especially in light of Elizabeth Smart’s high-profile abduction in 2002. As time passed, hope dimmed further with no new leads, even as Ayana held vigils and continued the search.

Now, 22 years on, Alexis Patterson’s disappearance remains one of Milwaukee’s most heartbreaking mysteries. The community still mourns the loss of a bright little girl who deserved to come home. If you have any information about Alexis’s case, please contact the Milwaukee Police Department. The fight for answers continues, and every second counts.