NFL Star Sergio Brown Still Missing as Mom Is Found Dead in Creek Near Family Home, Say Authorities

The mom of missing NFL star Sergio Brown has been found dead in a creek in a Chicago suburb.

Myrtle Brown, 73, was found unresponsive on Saturday evening, the Maywood Police Department said, per NBC News.

Police were searching for Myrtle and her son, 35 — who last played for the Buffalo Bills — when they found her body in a creek less than 100 yards from her home, according to CBS News.

The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office said Sunday that Myrtle was killed by “multiple injuries due to assault,” as reported by NBC News. Her manner of death was listed as homicide.

Sergio and Myrtle had both been reported missing earlier on Saturday, police said in a statement obtained by NBC Chicago. “Currently the Maywood Police Department is attempting to locate Mr. Sergio Brown,” the statement continued.

The authorities are urging anyone with information on Sergio’s whereabouts to contact them.

The investigation into Mrtyle’s death is ongoing, according to CNN.

“She was an outstanding woman, and I’m hoping she’s in the right place and she’s with God,” Myrtle’s next-door neighbor, Carlos Cortez, told CBS News. “Like I said, I never would’ve expected this in a million years. You only watch this on TV. And to know this happened next door, it’s a tragedy.”

Cortez told CBS News he last saw the mother and son in person on Thursday. He also told the outlet that police had seen footage of Sergio on his Ring doorbell. “They seen him taking out the trash, and they seen him have a bonfire,” he said.

The neighbor also claimed family members had told him that Sergio “wasn’t himself the last few months. He was out of his mind.”

On Sunday, Myrtle’s son Nick Brown shared a statement on Facebook paying tribute to his mother and asking his brother Sergio to return home.

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“Thank you, everyone, for all of your outreach, help, love and condolences,” the post began. “It’s a sad but hopeful time, and we will all get through this together. Mom always told me, ‘tough times don’t last’ and our last conversation about tough times being temporary is my beacon of hope.”

“Mom, thank you for being strong, caring, diligent, fancy, funny, and for saving my art. I won’t let you down,” Brown added. “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.”

“People, please don’t approach the property, this is still an ongoing investigation by the Maywood Police Department. If you have any information on Sergio’s whereabouts please send them to the Maywood Police Department,” the post concluded.

Sergio signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He also played for the Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars before retiring in 2017 after playing for the Bills.