Patrice Lynae Smith, a 28-year-old mother described by her family as a loving and beautiful person who was the life of the party, disappeared from Little Rock, Arkansas, under troubling circumstances. Her family's concern grew after she was last seen on the evening of March 24, 2012, leaving her sister's home around 11:30 p.m. She was in the company of her boyfriend, Michael Curtis Robinson, and they were in a gray or brown 2004 Ford Explorer with Arkansas Fish & Game license
plates. Patrice was reportedly wearing a purple V-neck shirt, dark denim pants or light blue capri pants, and white and purple Nike shoes. Distinctive features of Patrice include a mole on her left cheek, pierced ears, and several tattoos: a rose on her upper right chest, the name 'Autumn' on her right wrist, and 'Ray-Ray' on her right arm.
The circumstances leading up to Patrice's disappearance were fraught with domestic turmoil. She and Robinson had been dating for only a few months, but their relationship was marked by violence. In fact, just weeks before she vanished, Robinson had been arrested for kidnapping and aggravated assault against Patrice, an incident that left her with a broken hand or wrist after he held her at gunpoint for over twelve hours. Despite this and an order of protection against him, Robinson was released on a meager bond. The night she disappeared, Patrice's sister noted that she did not seem like herself. After leaving with Robinson, neither Patrice nor the Ford Explorer were seen again. Her family reported her missing the very next day, but it was another three days before Robinson's family filed a missing person report for him after he failed to appear in court for the prior assault charges.
Five months after their disappearance, Michael Robinson was found in a North Little Rock apartment and arrested on charges unrelated to Patrice's case. He has never provided any information regarding her whereabouts. For the previous assault on Patrice, he was sentenced to five years in prison, though more severe charges like kidnapping were dismissed even while she remained a missing person. The investigation into Patrice's disappearance has been ongoing, with Little Rock police following new leads as recently as ten years after she was last seen. Despite the passage of time, her family continues to seek answers and closure. The case remains a poignant example of a life interrupted by violence, leaving a family in limbo. Authorities have stated that while Patrice was on probation when she disappeared, they do not believe she was fleeing from the law and suspect foul play was involved in her case.Last Seen: Mar 25, 2012
