Matt Dunham/AP
Sergio Brown speaks during the NFL for Kids event in South London in 2015.
CNN
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The search for the ex continues NFL player Sergio Brown after his mother was found dead of stab wounds near a creek behind her suburban Chicago home, according to the Maywood Police Department.
The body of 73-year-old Myrtle Brown was discovered Saturday after relatives alerted authorities that they had been unable to locate or contact her son, the department said in a news release.
Her death has been ruled a homicide, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office. It is unclear what led to her death, and authorities have not released any information about a possible suspect in the case.
As the investigation continues, the grieving family has appealed for help in finding Sergio Brown.
“My brother Sergio is still missing,” Nick Brown he wrote on Instagram. “If anyone knows where he is, I want them to know I love you and please come home.”
Sergio Brown, 35, played for Notre Dame before signing with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played seven seasons in the NFL as a member of the Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars and Buffalo Bills.
Here’s what we know about the death investigation and search for Sergio Brown:
Police found the body of Myrtle Brown near a creek behind her home on Saturday, according to the department.
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled she died of assault-related injuries, and the manner of death was ruled a homicide, according to spokeswoman Natalie Derevyanna.
The coroner’s office did not release details about the nature of the mother’s injuries.
WBBM
Sergio Brown’s mother was found near a creek behind her suburban Chicago home, police said.
The mother and son were reported missing on Saturday
Family members of Sergio Brown and his mother told police Saturday that they were unable to locate or contact either of them, according to Maywood police.
“Maywood Police officers initiated a missing person’s report and began attempting to locate both individuals,” police said in a news release.
Relatives were also outside looking for Myrtle, neighbor Carlos Cortez said WBBM.
“Her family came and knocked on the door looking for her because they filed a police report because she had been missing for 72 hours. So we tried to help them as much as we could,” Cortez said.
Cortez, who said he provided police with his footage of the Ring, said he last saw Browns on Thursday, WBBM reported.
Brother Sergio Brown took over on Sunday Instagram to ask for help in finding him as he thanked members of the community for their condolences.
“If you have any information on the whereabouts of Sergio, please send it to the Maywood Police Department,” said Nick Brown.
Nick Brown has asked people to avoid accessing family property while the investigation is underway.
A residential street in Maywood — about 11 miles from the heart of Chicago — could be seen on video cordoned off with police tape as officers responded, according to video from CNN affiliate WBBM.
“People please do not approach the property, this is still an ongoing investigation by the Maywood Police Department,” he wrote.
Neighbors described Myrtle as a shrewd arranger, social person and someone who loved to go dancing.
“Just a lovely lady. Very soft, outgoing. Always on the go,” neighbor Kevin Grayer told the CNN affiliate WLS. “Just a happy person. Her personality was just amazing.”
“She didn’t deserve that.” She was too good to die like this. That’s sad,” Grayer said.
Her son Nick Brown said his last conversation with his mother gave him hope.
“It’s a sad but hopeful time and we’ll all get through this together.” “My mom always told me, ‘hard times don’t last,’ and our latest conversation about hard times being temporary is my beacon of hope,” he said.
“Mom, thank you for being strong, caring, diligent, imaginative, funny, and for saving my art. I will not let you down.”
