Sergio Brown remains missing as mother’s funeral planned – live
Sergio Brown has posted Instagram videos after his mother Myrtle was found dead in Maywood creek and he went missing
The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday
Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US
Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US
Authorities in Illinois have declined to confirm whether former NFL player Sergio Brown is believed to be in Mexico after his mother was found dead in a creek behind her home.
Mystery erupted around Mr Brown after a concerned family member filed a missing persons report for the 35-year-old New England Patriots alum and his mother Myrtle Brown, 73.
Myrtle was found dead less than 100 yards from her Maywood home the following day. Her death was ruled a homicide as the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office found injuries resulting from an assault.
The case took a bizarre turn as videos emerged from an Instagram account linked to Mr Brown. Authorities had said they were investigating the authenticity of the posts, in which a man identified as Mr Brown claimed he was kidnapped by the FBI and that his mother was on vacation.
According to Forbes, Maywood police determined that one of the videos was recorded in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. But when reached by The Independent, the department said that it had “no new details to share.”
Mr Brown’s brother Nick Brown announced on Facebook that their mother will be laid to rest on Friday, 29 September.
Ex-NFL star Sergio Brown and his mother went missing. Police say she was murdered and he has yet to be found
Sergio Brown burned mother’s clothes before she was found dead and he went missing, neighbour says
Missing ex-NFL star posts bizarre Instagram about police and FBI after mother found dead in creek
Childhood friend of Nick Brown speculates on the ex-NFL safety’s current state
Bridget Howell chalked up Sergio Brown’s recent behaviour as being due to previous football injuries.
She told the US Sun: “Sergio played football for a very long time, and they have that concussive injury that can cause all types of issues later on in life and whatnot.
“And this injury, they don’t necessarily discover until they do an autopsy,” she said.
However, his strange behaviour recently has not been formally linked to previous injuries.
A neighbour weighs in on Myrtle Brown’s death
Carlos Cortez, a neighbour of Ms Brown, told WBBM that he had given authorities Ring doorbell video in which Mr Brown is allegedly seen burning his mother’s clothes. The Maywood Police Department declined to comment on the allegations when reached by The Independent.
“They seen him taking out the trash, and they seen him have a bonfire where he burned all her clothes,” Mr Cortez said.
Mr Cortez also said that relatives told him Mr Brown had not been acting like himself lately but did not elaborate on what type of behaviour had given that impression.
“They said he wasn’t himself the last few months. He was out of his mind,” Mr Cortez told the outlet.
The Independent’s Andrea Blanco has the full story:
Sergio Brown burned mother’s clothes before she was found dead, neighbour says
Neighbour Carlos Cortez says Sergio Brown had been acting ‘out of his mind’
WATCH: bizarre video posted from an Instagram account potentially tied to Sergio Brown
Former NFL quarterback discusses Sergio Brown
Speaking to CourtTV, retired Pittsburgh Steeler Charlie Batch said what’s happening with Mr Brown is “concerning.”
After watching clips of Mr Brown’s alleged videos, Mr Batch said that “these are stories that have not surprised me because I’ve heard those before.” Mr Batch was alluding to the mental health difficulties that many football players face amid the transition after they step off the field.
Mr Batch has long been an advocate for the wellness of former football players.
In a message to Mr Brown, the former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback said: “You are not alone. There are services out there for you.”
Myrtle Brown’s funeral services are TBD
Nick Brown, Myrtle’s son and Sergio Brown’s brother, posted on Facebook on Friday with an update:
Hey Peeps, no official, confirmed, or approved information about my mom’s services has been released as of 11:10 a.m. CST Friday, September 22nd, 2023. Please keep our family in your prayers and know that tough times don’t last.
Sergio Brown’s NFL career
- Sergio Brown, who graduated from Proviso East High School in Maywood, played college football for Notre Dame before his time with the NFL.
- Mr Brown’s career in the NFL started in 2010 when he was signed by the New England Patriots as a safety.
- In 2012, he played for the Indianapolis Colts.
- Three years later, he signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
- But in 2016, the team released him.
- Before the end of the year, he signed with the Buffalo Bills and played eight games on the team.
- He retired after his season with the Bills.
Where is Maywood?
Maywood is a western suburb of Chicago, Illinois. Maywood is a village, home to only 23,000 residents, 2020 census data shows.
Myrtle Brown’s body was found near Silver Creek, not far from her home in Maywood.
An autopsy revealed that Brown had suffered several injuries from an assault; her death was ruled a homicide.
WATCH:
ICYMI: Timeline of events
14 September: Myrtle Brown, 73, was last seen by her sister.
16 September morning: Worried family members file missing persons reports for Myrtle and Sergio Brown.
16 September afternoon: Hours later, the 73-year-old’s body was found dead in an Illinois creek, only 100 yards from her home; the coroner determined her death to have been a homicide resulting from an assault.
19 September: Sergio Brown begins posting strange videos.
20 September: Police believe one of the videos was captured outside of a condo in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.
The recurrence of Finding Nemo
An Instagram account that is purported to be linked to Sergio Brown keeps alluding to the movie Finding Nemo.
On Tuesday afternoon, Instagram stories posted from the account show what appears to be Mr Brown mocking reports that he is “missing.”
“Just keep swimming. Missing? What the f*** is going on?” he is heard saying.
This account’s profile picture also boasts an image of the character Nemo.
