Without a Trace

On a bright March morning, Susan Selky sees her six-year-old son, Alex, off to school, which is conveniently located just two blocks away. She watches as he turns back to wave goodbye before disappearing around the corner, marking a seemingly ordinary start to the day.

As the day drags on and Alex fails to return home, Susan grows increasingly anxious. Her worry escalates into alarm when she realizes it is past the time he should have come back from school.

In a state of panic, Susan reaches out to her neighbor and friend, Jocelyn Norris, to find out if Alex has arrived at school. To her horror, Jocelyn informs her that Alex never made it to school at all.

The NYPD is notified and responds quickly, with Lieutenant Al Menetti leading the investigation. As officers begin their questioning, the focus turns to Susan's personal life and her estranged husband, Graham, raising questions that add to her distress.

After a tense wait, Graham makes an appearance, providing an alibi that clears him as a suspect. His return is a relief for Susan, yet the investigation continues, overshadowed by the uncertainty surrounding Alex's fate.

As news of Alex’s disappearance spreads, the media rallies around the case, stirring public support as citizens begin distributing posters of Alex in a desperate search for leads. However, Susan faces backlash for allowing her young son to walk to school alone.

Numerous tips flood in, including vague sightings of Alex in a blue 1965 Chevy. Each time a potential lead appears, it gradually fizzles out, amplifying the feeling of hopelessness for Susan and the investigators.

Months pass with no significant updates, and the command center is dismantled due to budget cuts, leaving Susan feeling abandoned and frustrated. Menetti tries to balance the increasing demands of other cases while keeping Alex's case a priority.

Desperate for answers, Graham receives a ransom call regarding Alex. He follows the instructions given by the caller, but the encounter leads to a brutal attack, resulting in his hospitalization and further complicating the situation.

On the Fourth of July, a breakthrough occurs when Susan’s house cleaner, Philippe, is arrested after bloody underpants belonging to Alex are found in his apartment. The discovery sends shockwaves through the investigation.

Visiting Philippe in jail, Susan hears an explanation that contradicts the charges against him. Philippe claims the bloody underpants were used to stop his own bleeding, reinforcing Susan's belief in his innocence despite the physical evidence.

With mounting media scrutiny and personal pressures, Susan grapples with the possibility of having to accept the unthinkable—that Alex may be dead. This fear is amplified further when her friend suggests it might be time to move on.

Susan receives a surprising call from a woman named Malvina Robbins, claiming Alex is alive and living with neighbors in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The call offers a glimmer of hope amidst the rampant despair that has enveloped her life.

Menetti, initially skeptical, decides to check out the tip from Robbins while spending a day with his son. He aims to confirm the lead's validity and prevent Robbins from causing further distress to Susan.

To everyone's relief, Alex is found alive after a blue Chevy parked at the Robbins' neighbor's house confirms the suspicions. Menetti drives Alex home, leading to an emotional reunion with Susan that captures the attention of the media and community.