In the September 15, 1990 edition of the Baltimore Sun we learn that a 35 year old psychiatric counselor named Hope Sarah Patterson was found dead on September 13, 1990 in the 1900 block of Wetheredsville Road, in the north section of Leakin Park. She lived in the first block of Brubar Court in Gwynn Oak and died of a gun shot wound. Police believed she was shot and killed on the road. Her nephew, 18 year old Jada Patterson, said that he was surprised and that Ms. Patterson stayed to herself but she could handle herself. He said he doubted that the assailants could have lured Ms. Patterson anywhere unless they did so at gunpoint.
Ms. Patterson was described by relatives and friends as a loving, caring person, who devoted her life to helping others unable to help themselves. Ms. Pattterson had worked 3 years at Changing Directions, a psychiatric counseling center operated by Johns Hopkins Hospital to help people who have be hospitalized with psychiatric problems return to society. Ms. Patterson worked with 15 to 25 people at a time, helping them become independent and self-sufficient after a stay in a hospital. The police said the victim's purse was found intact with all her papers and 11 cents in change. Her car was found also on a street near Forest Park.