Matt Dunham/AP
Sergio Brown speaks during an NFL event for children in south London in 2015.
CNN
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The search continues for fv NFL player Sergio Brown after his mother was found dead of assault injuries 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 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 released any information about a possible suspect in the case.
As the investigation continues, the grieving family has appealed for help to find Sergio Brown.
“My brother Sergio is still missing,” Nick Brown wrote on Instagram. “If anyone knows where he is, I want him to know that I love you and then 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 Myrtle Brown’s body near a creek behind her home on Saturday, according to the department.
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office determined she had died from injuries related to an assault, and the manner of death was ruled a homicide, according to spokeswoman Natalia Derevyanny.
The coroner’s office did not share details about the nature of the mother’s injuries.
WBBM
Sergio Brown’s mother was found near a creek behind her home in a Chicago suburb, police said.
Both mother and son were reported missing on Saturday
Family members of Sergio Brown and his mother told police Saturday that they had been unable to find or contact either of them, according to Maywood police.
“Maywood police officers initiated a missing person report and began making attempts to locate both individuals,” police said in a news release.
Relatives were also out looking for Myrtle, neighbor Carlos Cortez said WBBM.
“Her family came knocking on the door looking for her because they put out a police report because she had been missing for 72 hours. So we tried to help them as much as possible,” Cortez said.
Cortez, who said he provided police with footage from the Ring doorbell, said he last saw Browns on Thursday, WBBM reported.
From Nick Brown/Instagram
Myrtle Brown, mother of former NFL player Sergio Brown, was found dead in a creek behind her home outside of Chicago. Her death has been ruled a homicide.
Sergio Brown’s brother on Sunday gained weight Instagram to ask for help to find him as he thanked community members for their condolences.
“If you have any information on Sergio’s whereabouts, please send it to the Maywood Police Department,” Nick Brown said.
Nick Brown asked people to avoid approaching the family’s property while the investigation continues.
The 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, video from CNN affiliate WBBM shows.
“People, please do not approach the property, this is still an ongoing investigation by the Maywood Police Department,” he wrote.
Neighbors described Myrtle as sharp-dressed, outgoing and loved to go dancing.
“Just a lovely lady. Very soft spoken, outgoing. Always on the go,” neighbor Kevin Grayer told the CNN affiliate WLS. “Just a happy person. Her personality was just wonderful.”
“She didn’t deserve that. She was too good a person to die like that. It’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. Mom always told me, ‘hard times don’t last,’ and our last conversation about hard times being temporary is my beacon of hope ,” he said.
“Mom, thank you for being strong, caring, diligent, fancy, funny and for saving my art. I will not let you down.”
