Within hours, Elizabeths disappearance was featured on CNNs Larry King Liveand Fox News On the Record with Greta Van Susteren. It took eight days for Alexis story to attract attention outside Milwaukee, with a segment on Americas Most Wanted. The next national story on her case aired weeks later. Theres no court case that youd be wrapped up in.. Lisa B Patterson 64 Shamrock Cir, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926. She couldnt sleep. Joshuas suspicions were also shared by his fianc and the pair were struck by his ex-wifes resemblance to the age-progressed images of Alexis. By then, 14 years had passed. MILWAUKEE It's been 20 years since Alexis Patterson, who was 7-years-old at the time, went missing on her way to school. Alexis younger sister, Eri-Onna, was born after she went missing. RICK WOOD, MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL; TOM LYNN, AP. A lover of roller-skating and the colour pink, she was often referred to by her nicknames, Lexi and Pie. RIGHT: A Milwaukee Police officer climbs out of a boarded up home on the 2100 block N. 33rd St. in Milwaukee during the search for Alexis. if I say, 'that's my daughter,' believe me because I know mine. Police traveled to Chicago, Louisiana, Texas and Atlanta in hopes that one of them would pan out, but none did. By then, 14 years had passed. The resemblance to an age-progressed photo of Alexis posted by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children was uncanny. In the morning, Patterson realized Alexis hadnt finished her homework, so she wouldnt let her bring the treats. Cases of suspected abduction, like Elizabeths, garner more attention from cops and reporters than children consideredrunaways by police, as Alexis initially was. View the latest known address, phone number and possibly related persons. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children released an age-progression photos of Alexis in 2009, which showed what she could have looked like at 14 years old. Thats when I found out that my baby never made it, Patterson told USA TODAY. Polygraphs.. On the morning of May 3, 2002, Alexis Pattersons stepfather walked her to the corner and a crossing guard guided the 7-year-old across the street toward Hi-Mount Community School in Milwaukee. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to TheAfroLounge.com, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Last Person to See Alexis Patterson Before 2002 Disappearance Dies. She too was certain Joshuas ex-wife was the missing girl after seeing the pairs wedding photo. Following the May 2013 rescue of Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight in Cleveland, Ohio and the January 2019 rescue of Jayme Closs in Douglas County, Wisconsin, the NCMEC said that the Patterson family shouldnt give up hope of her being found. BOTTOM: A Milwaukee Police officer climbs out of a boarded up home on the 2100 block N. 33rd St. in Milwaukee during the search for Alexis. Joshua traveled to Milwaukee with his son (that he shares with Lisa) to meet with Ayanna. To report anonymously, contact Crime Stoppers at 414-224-TIPS or use the P3 Tips app. Despite having never met her older sister, Ayanna has ensured Eri-Onna and the rest of the family keep Alexis in their thoughts by taking them to places where she used to play. She was found nine months after her abduction. "It's amazing how Alexis just dropped of the face of the earth and nobody knows where she is. Norman would not say whether the earlier news report was accurate. As a result, she was told she wouldnt be allowed to bring in cupcakes for her classmates, which upset her, as May 3 was her day to bring in a snack for her class. Also, Gabbys disappearance was fueled by the fact she was a YouTube celebrity. It was her snack day at Hi-Mount Community School, and the 7-year-old had promised her friends that she would bring cupcakes. Im not afraid of nothingnow that I know my babys safe, and I know my babys alive.. 1) The primary theory in the case is that Alexis stepfather, LaRon Bourgeois, was somehow involved in her disappearance. Over 5,000 interviews have been conducted and the effort between the Milwaukee Police Department and the Milwaukee County Sheriffs Office was one of the largest joint efforts in both organizations histories. Also remember that nearly 20 years ago we didnt have social media out there tracking everything we do. News reports from the time say several of Elizabeths relatives took polygraphs, but there was no mention of the results. An FBI spokesman declined to comment. The gathering begins at 9 a.m. Alexis Patterson's disappearance is still in the hands of Milwaukee Police Department's cold case unit, as well as the FBI. Hoping to confirm his suspicions, Joshua travelled to Milwaukee with his son to meet Ayanna. . To download all election summary data click here. A second man, who has not been named, was also involved, but no charges were ever filed against him. Highlights includeinterviews with Alexis Patterson'smother and with the current chief of the Milwaukee Police Department who acknowledges that, trust is a continuous process.Catch all episodes of States of America on USA TODAY's free streaming channelshere. At 3, Patterson ran to the school in a panic. Advertisement. TOP PHOTO: A photo of Alexis at the event about 100 people attended. Its a win-win for you. Smart, now an advocate for missing children, acknowledgedafterPetitos disappearance how problematic it is that the cases of missing white people get more attention than missing people of color. It was a miracle that the young women in Ohio were found. We are being as professional and responsible as possible. At 8:00am the next day, LaRon walked Alexis to school, which was located at 4291 West Garfield Avenue. However, despite this, Alexis parents were not notified of her absence until after classes had been dismissed for the day. Ex-husband of Ohio woman who provided DNA sample into Patterson case says test was faulty MILWAUKEE -- The DNA test came back and Milwaukee police say an Ohio woman is not the missing Alexis. Lisa Gross was found dead in her bathtub in 2001. If I would not have passed, then I wouldnt be standing here, he told a local reporter at the time. If you have any information regarding the case, you can contact the Milwaukee Police Department at either 414-935-7401, 414-935-7302 or 414-935-7360. However, very little has been elaborated about in regards to this. He told Colleen Henry of WISN 12 that Ayanna knows thats her child. He said Alexis and Lisa have a birth mark in the exact same spot.. Even Wisconsin senator Lena Taylor said she got chills when she saw the wedding photo of Joshua and Lisa. Milwaukee police told Patterson it didnt match but she doesnt believe them. Alexis case has been featured on In Pursuit With John Walsh, The View, Find Our Missing, Maury Povich, Crime Watch Daily, Ricki Lake and Americas Most Wanted. The reporter showed Patterson a photo of a woman named Lisa who lived in Bryan, Ohio, nearly 300 miles from Milwaukee. Utilizing K-9 units, they walked down paths and through buildings, searched Miller Park, and looked around local bodies of water. On May 1, 2002, the City of Milwaukee filed a civil suit against him, seeking $7,500 in damages for what they said was negligent operation of a motor vehicle. At the time Joshuas theory came to light, the pair were in the midst of a custody battle over their son. However, given she hadnt yet returned home, they felt that something else may have caused her to disappear after she was seen on the playground. Learn how your comment data is processed. It was also announced by Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett that May 3 would be known as Alexis Patterson: Forget Me Not Day. Remembering Alexis Patterson after 11 years. She still does not believe them. We're going to keep fighting until the end,"Quinones said. Because if you pass it, then you can tell anybody you want, Look, I passed this polygraph. If you dont, you dont have to tell anybody. Investigators did not believe the step father played any involvement in Alexis disappearance. Alexis is alive, she said. Patterson spent the next few years angry. Some investigators have continued to focus on Alexis family because they didnt trust her stepfather, who had driven the getaway car after a 1994 bank robbery in which a suburban police officer was killed, according to retired Milwaukee Police Detective Steve Spingola, who was in charge of Alexis'case in the beginning. Local Search Options. Contact Gina Barton on Signal at 262-757-8640 or at gbarton@gannett.com. News reports from the time say several of Elizabeths relatives took polygraphs, but there was no mention of the results. Patterson believes having strangers collect the sample and ship it left open the possibility that someone could have tampered with it. Everybody always wanted to sit next to her.. In 2002, Wisconsin had not yet adopted Amber Alerts. At the end of the day, she didnt come home. The daughter of parents Ayanna Patterson and Kenya Campbell, she was known for being bubbly and having a bossy personality. Being an investigator and being objective, you look at all angles.. MILWAUKEE . Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blogs author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Their studies have repeatedly found that cases of missing Black people, children and adults alike, are covered less often than whites and their stories dont travel as widely through the nations newsrooms. The Milwaukee County Sheriffs Office is currently offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to Alexis return. In other words, the town is filled with people who have no clue who they really are. And I aint giving up.. Patterson spent the next few years angry. His mother had tried to call him at 7:00am, but he didnt answer. Many students reported seeing her crying on the playground both before and after the school day had ended, but none recalled seeing her in the school itself. Around this time, a relationship was re-established with the Patterson family. There are 127 results for persons named Alexis Patterson. He was charged with three counts of felony child abuse and one count of child neglect. Police records say otherwise. In the coming months, USA TODAY Network reporters will embark on a national project to compile data and public records that expose why these disparities in police response and news coverage of missing children occur and how they can be addressed. Alexis is alive, she said. However, despite the intensive investigation, very little progress has been made in relation to the case and there has been no physical evidence uncovered to contradict what those interviewed have told police. Just two months later, he was charged with repeatedly driving with a revoked license and was imprisoned. The law enforcement response also differed. No matter what youre going through, remember God is using you, for the battle is not yours, its the Lords. He also claims that the FBI and Interpol are investigating something bigger in relation to Alexis case, but this has not been confirmed by either organization. Contact Gina Barton on Signal at 262-757-8640 or atgbarton@gannett.com. "Believe me. By the time Elizabeth had been gone two weeks, USA TODAY had published three stories about her disappearance. She has a bump on her left pinky finger, a scar under her right eye and a mole above her left eye. She rarely lets them out of her sight, choosing to drive them to and from school, instead of having them take the school bus. . Upon arriving at the Patterson home, police agreed with the potential scenario presented by Alexis parents. She also has the same birthmark Joshua noted, as well as a bump on her pinky finger and a scar under her right eye, both of which Alexis had as well. There was a frenzied approach of, Theres someone missing in our community, a young one, and were going to put in all the effort, the work, hold no stops, he said in an interview last week. The Disappearance of Alexis Patterson: A Routine Walk to School with Her Stepdad, Just to Never be Heard From Again | Case 3 | by Jadyn Harlow - The Missing Found Podcast | Medium 500. If alive, she would be 24 years old. 2) Theres a conspiracy theory that states the town of Bryan, Ohio is made up of missing children who dont know who they really are. In 2002, Wisconsin had not yet adopted Amber Alerts. In Milwaukee, law enforcement sources leaked information to the media, saying Alexis mother had passed a polygraph, but her stepfather, LaRon Bourgeois, had failed. On the morning of May 3, 2002, Alexis Pattersons stepfather walked her to the corner and a crossing guard guided the 7-year-old across the street toward Hi-Mount Community School in Milwaukee. The day after Elizabeth disappeared, police called in the FBI and offered a $250,000 reward. Law enforcement officials are trying to determine if a woman living in Ohio is Alexis Patterson, the Milwaukee girl who vanished 14 years ago, a mystery that remains an open wound to those.