Illinois woman disappears on trip with boyfriend who returned home without her, mother says

FIRST ON FOX: The mother of a woman who vanished on a trip with her boyfriend in Illinois told Fox News Digital that "he has changed his story a couple times" as police search for her.

The Palatine Police Department said Alyssa Smith, 24, has been missing since Sept. 30. She disappeared on a trip to Chicago with her boyfriend and never returned home, her mother, Rebecca Smith, told Fox News Digital on Thursday.

"We’re going through hell," she said. "Want her home. We miss her. Her sisters are waiting for her to come home."

Rebecca Smith has been sharing posts and flyers on social media pleading for her daughter's return.

Alyssa Smith went on a trip to Chicago with her boyfriend but never returned home, her mother told Fox News Digital. (Facebook/Meta/Alyssa Smith)

Her boyfriend, Jacob Ray Caso, returned home from Chicago without Alyssa, Rebecca Smith said.

"He has changed his story a couple of times, so I’m a little confused," she said, adding that she "had a great relationship" with him.

Caso has not been accused of any crime or wrongdoing.

Fox News Digital spoke with his mother, who said he has returned to the Chicago area on three separate occasions to try to find Alyssa. 

She said he does not want to comment on the case at this time, but did provide detail into the couple's recent habits. 

"They're both known drug addicts. That's no secret. They had been doing really well this past year, staying sober and thriving. Unfortunately, in May, they took a turn and they started using. They lost their apartment, they lost their transportation. They lost their jobs," she said. 

"Jake had tried to get Alyssa to come home, but Alyssa didn't necessarily have a place to come home to. He waited for her to come back on Wednesday, the last day that he saw her," she said.

The Illinois woman hasn't been seen nor heard from since September. (Facebook/Meta: Alyssa Smith)

He shared a missing persons poster for Smith on social media with the message "Time to come home," he wrote. "No one is mad at you."

"Since receiving the missing-person report, Palatine Police detectives have been actively investigating Smith’s whereabouts and following up on information received regarding possible sightings," police said.

Alyssa Smith has been missing since Sept. 30, police said. (Facebook/Meta: Alyssa Smith)

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According to police, reports indicate Smith may have been seen Saturday, Oct. 3, in the Grant Park area and near Cicero Avenue and Roosevelt Road.

Investigators are working to verify these sightings and gather additional information on her current location.

Alyssa Smith, 24, went missing Sept. 30, police said. (Facebook/Meta: Alyssa Smith)

Smith appears to work at a Chipotle, according to her social media account.

She is described as a White female, approximately 5 feet, 5 inches tall, weighing between 135 and 140 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.

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She has several body piercings and numerous tattoos, notably including a "Pennywise" clown tattoo on her left shoulder.

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At the time of her disappearance, Smith was believed to be wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, light khaki-colored pants or sweatpants and white Adidas sneakers.

Anyone who spots Smith or has information on her immediate whereabouts should contact their local law enforcement agency or dial 911.

"We want to get the word out that if you see something, say something," Rebecca Smith said. "Call 911."

Fox News Digital has reached out to Caso and the Palatine Police Department.