Kayla Simone Patterson, 25, was shot and killed inside her Whisper Lake Apartments home in the 4600 block of Whisper Lake Drive in the Black Jack area of Florissant, Missouri, on the evening of August 28, 2023. Police were called for a report of a person down shortly before 9 p.m.; Kayla was found with a fatal gunshot wound and pronounced dead at the scene.

Born March 22, 1998, Kayla worked as a Senior Systems Support Engineer at MasterCard and was remembered by family and colleagues for her intelligence, infectious laugh and love of dance. The St. Louis County Police Department’s Crimes Against Persons unit is investigating; as of the information released, no suspects have been publicly identified and no arrests have been announced. Investigators have not released a motive. Ten minutes after Kayla was found, a fatal shooting of a 45-year-old man occurred nearby, but police have not confirmed any connection between the incidents.

If anyone saw activity around Whisper Lake Apartments on the evening of August 28, 2023, or has information about Kayla’s death, please contact investigators.