Cherishing Malik Patterson: Honoring His Love And Affection

“You might be having a rough day, but when Malik began to laugh, you couldn’t help but laugh as well,” shared Michelle Walker, mother of Malik Patterson.Remarkably, Malik spoke six languages at just five years old, cherished the color yellow, adored watching Baby Shark, and could count to 100. He also delighted in cars and frequent visits to the zoo. “He loved making me imitate elephant sounds,” Michelle recounted in an exclusive interview with the New Pittsburgh Courier on August 14.Malik, who had autism, walked out of their home in the Harrison Village apartments on August 11, leading to a devastating loss when he was later discovered in a nearby river. This heartbreaking event deeply affected not only McKeesport but the entire region.Michelle emphasized Malik’s brilliance, affirming, "Children with autism are extraordinarily intelligent." Currently, the Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office has yet to disclose an official cause of death. As of August 19, support for Walker’s family continued to grow through the Courier’s Facebook page. “We’ll keep his memory alive,” Michelle declared.