Serena Trotter’s family is left heartbroken and seeking answers after the 26-year-old mother was found dead in an alley in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on April 22, 2026. Serena had been missing for several months, and despite her family’s attempts to report her disappearance, they claim the police did not take their concerns seriously.
A Grandfather’s Plea for Help
Tom Trotter, Serena’s grandfather, expressed frustration and anguish over the Milwaukee Police Department’s response when he went to report her missing in January 2026. He last saw Serena in October 2025 and was deeply concerned when he couldn’t reach her.
Trotter went to the police on January 31, seeking help to find his granddaughter, but according to him, the officers were dismissive and uninterested in his story. “It seemed almost like he was taking a fast-food order,” Trotter recalled in an interview with Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Feeling neglected by law enforcement, Tom took matters into his own hands. He started canvassing the Washington Park neighborhood, handing out fliers in hopes of finding someone who could provide information about Serena’s whereabouts. Despite his efforts, he was never able to locate her, and tragically, Serena was found dead before they could reunite.
A Heartbreaking Discovery
On April 22, 2026, a bystander discovered Serena’s body in an alley on West Garfield Avenue, just a few blocks from where Tom had reported her missing. Police confirmed the body was indeed Serena’s, and she had bruises and marks all over her body. Authorities have not yet released the cause of death, as an autopsy is pending.
Tom Trotter shared his dismay with the Journal Sentinel, saying that Serena’s body was found so close to the police station where he had reported her missing. He also mentioned that he had provided police with a possible location where Serena might be, but it is unclear whether law enforcement followed up on that lead.
Serena had struggled with substance abuse, according to her grandfather, but she was a devoted mother to a 5-year-old son whom she loved dearly. Tom Trotter’s heartbreaking statement summed up the tragedy: “Here’s this 26-year-old young lady thrown out in an alley like a piece of trash.”
Community Support and Fundraising
Serena’s death has deeply impacted her family, who were not prepared to bury such a young woman. To help cover funeral costs, a GoFundMe page was set up by Monica Schoen, who described Serena as a person who “brought so much light into the lives of the people around her.” As of now, more than $9,000 has been raised in support of the Trotter family.
Schoen wrote on the fundraising page, “She had a beautiful way of making others feel seen, loved, and cared for. Above all, she was a devoted mother, and her love for her son was the center of her world.”
Seeking Justice and Answers
Although Serena was seen as just another missing person report to the police, she meant everything to her family. They continue to grieve and seek answers regarding her death. Tom Trotter expressed his hope that no other family would have to endure the heartache and frustration that his family experienced during the search for Serena.
As the investigation continues, the Trotter family holds out hope that they will eventually receive the answers they deserve, so Serena can have the dignity and peace she deserves.
