Sergio Brown’s Mother Found Dead as Search for Ex-NFL Star Continues

A search initially launched to locate the whereabouts of former NFL star Sergio Brown and his mother, Myrtle Brown, escalated into a convoluted case when authorities discovered Myrtle’s lifeless body in a creek near her home in Illinois.

On Saturday, September 16, 2023, police chanced upon Myrtle’s remains during a missing person search for her and her son, spurred by reports from their relatives who had been unable to contact them in the days prior. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office concluded that the 73-year-old died from injuries in line with a physical assault. Her death was classified as a homicide, per Natalia Derevyanny, a spokesperson for the office.

Uncovering the Tragedy

Neighbors and community members were shocked by the news of Myrtle Brown’s tragic death. Carlos Cortez, a neighbor, described her as an outstanding woman. “Myrtle, she was an outstanding woman, and I’m hoping she’s in the right place and she’s with God,” Cortez told CBS News Chicago. He expressed disbelief, saying, “I never would’ve expected this in a million years.”

Sergio Brown, the retired athlete and son of Myrtle Brown, has also been out of reach since days before his mother’s disappearance. Cortez stated that he had seen Sergio the Thursday prior and noted that in recent months, the former New England Patriots safety had been exhibiting unusual behavior.

Mystery Deepens as Investigation Unfolds

As of this writing, the police have yet to identify a suspect in the case. They have not confirmed whether Sergio Brown is a person of interest or not. However, neighbor Carlos Cortez revealed that authorities found something out of the ordinary from the footage they retrieved from his doorbell camera. “They seen him [Sergio] taking out the trash, and they seen him have a bonfire where he burned all [of Myrtle’s] clothes,” Cortez explained. This revelation raised concerns among the investigators.

Brown’s relatives also divulged to Cortez that they observed a concerning change in Sergio’s behavior in recent months. “They said he wasn’t himself the past few months. He was out of his mind,” Cortez said. While the rest of the Brown family has yet to corroborate these claims, fans speculated that Sergio may have been suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative condition that many football players are diagnosed with. This theory suggests that CTE could have contributed to Sergio’s unusual behavior leading up to the tragedy.

A Plea for Help

Sergio’s brother, Nick Brown, took to social media to plead for public assistance in finding his missing brother. He shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, saying, “My brother Sergio is still missing. If anyone knows where he is I want him to know that I love you and please come home.” Nick urged anyone with information regarding Sergio’s whereabouts to contact the Maywood Police Department.

The Search Continues

As the investigation continues, authorities, family, and friends are left grappling with the tragic loss of Myrtle Brown and the mystery surrounding Sergio Brown’s disappearance. The search for answers and justice remains ongoing, with the hope that someday the truth will be revealed.