Illinois Woman Missing After Chicago Trip With Boyfriend

An Illinois woman, Alyssa Smith, 24, has been reported missing after vanishing during a trip to Chicago with her boyfriend. Her family last had contact with her on September 27, and she was officially reported missing on September 30, according to Palatine police.

Smith, a restaurant worker, was last seen in Chicago's 11th district, an area described as being between Cicero, Pulaski, and Madison streets. At the time of her disappearance, she was reportedly wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, light khaki pants, and white Adidas shoes. She has a distinctive "Pennywise clown tattoo on her shoulder."

The circumstances surrounding Smith's disappearance are unclear. She had traveled to Chicago with her boyfriend, Jacob Ray Caso, who is a tattoo artist from Crystal Lake. Caso returned to their hometown on October 1, several days after Smith was last seen. He has since posted appeals online for her safe return.

Palatine police have stated they have received reports of potential sightings of Smith in Grant Park in downtown Chicago and on the city's West Side. Her family has shared missing person posters online, which have mentioned anonymous tips suggesting Smith may have been seen alive. Some reports also mentioned the possibility of a "black eye," although police have not confirmed these details.

Caso has expressed his concern on social media, writing, "Time to come home b. No one is mad at you." He has also shared information that suggests Smith may have been identified from a TikTok video, though no further context has been provided.

Smith's mother has emphasized that her daughter is still considered missing until she is physically located and can confirm her own safety and wishes. She urged the public to refrain from speculating about the circumstances of the disappearance on social media.

Smith and Caso had been in a relationship for approximately 20 months, celebrating their one-year anniversary in January.