The search continues for former NFL player Sergio Brown after his mother was found dead with injuries near a creek behind her home in suburban Chicago, Maywood police said.
The body of 73-year-old Myrtle Brown was discovered Saturday after family members alerted authorities that they had been unable to find or contact her or her son, the department said in a news release.
Her death was ruled a homicide, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office. It is unclear what led to her death and authorities have not provided any information about a possible suspect in the case.
As the investigation continues, the grieving family has asked for help finding Sergio Brown.
“My brother Sergio is still missing,” Nick Brown wrote on Instagram. “If anyone knows where he is, I want him 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:
The mother’s injuries were related to an assault, the coroner said
Police found Myrtle Brown’s body near a creek behind her home on Saturday, according to police.
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office determined she died of injuries related to an assault, and the manner of death was ruled a homicide, according to spokesperson Natalia Derevyanny.
The coroner’s office did not share any details about the nature of the mother’s injuries.
Both mother and son reported missing on Saturday
Relatives of Sergio Brown and his mother told police Saturday they could not find or contact either of them, Maywood police said.
“The Maywood Police Department has filed a missing persons report and made efforts to locate both individuals,” police said in a news release.
Family members were also looking for Myrtle, neighbor Carlos Cortez told WBBM.
“Her family knocked on the door looking for her because they had filed a 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 his Ring doorbell footage to police, said he last saw the Browns on Thursday, WBBM reported.
Family asks for help finding former NFL player
Sergio Brown’s brother took to Instagram on Sunday to ask for help finding him, while thanking community members for their condolences.
“If you have any information regarding Sergio’s whereabouts, please forward it to the Maywood Police Department,” Nick Brown said.
Nick Brown asked people not to approach the family’s property while the investigation continues.
The residential street in Maywood — about 11 miles from downtown Chicago — was seen on video cordoned off with police tape as officers responded, video from CNN affiliate WBBM shows.
“Folks, please do not approach the property as this is still an ongoing investigation by the Maywood Police Department,” he wrote.
Who was Myrtle Brown?
Neighbors described Myrtle as a sharp dresser, an outgoing person and someone who enjoyed dancing.
“Just a sweet lady. Very gentle, outgoing. Always on the go,” neighbor Kevin Grayer told CNN affiliate WLS. “Just a happy person. Her personality was just amazing.”
‘She didn’t deserve that. She was too good a person to die like that. That’s just 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 will all get through this together. My mother always told me, ‘Tough times don’t last’ and our last conversation about how hard times are temporary is my beacon of hope,” he said.
“Mom, thank you for being strong, caring, diligent, beautiful and funny and for saving my art. I will not disappoint you.”
CNN’s Jared Formanek and Kevin Dotson contributed to this report.
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