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Missing Chicago teacher Linda Brown, 53, found dead; Her family says her body was recovered from Lake Michigan, while police have not released details about the cause or timing.
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Brown was last seen early on Jan. 3 after she parked her car near the lakefront and walked toward a pedestrian bridge; she never attended a scheduled meeting and was reported missing later that day.
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Brown, a CPS special education teacher, is being mourned by her school community, which is offering grief counseling as the investigation continues.
CHICAGO – After more than a week of uncertainty and mounting fear, a missing Chicago teacher has been found dead.
The body of Linda Brown, 53, was recovered Monday afternoon from Lake Michigan at the 31st Street Marina after days of searching the lakeshore, according to her family. Chicago police confirmed that Brown had been found, but did not provide further details on the investigation.
The background story
Brown was reported missing Saturday, Jan. 3, after she was last seen in the 4500 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in the Bronzeville neighborhood.
She is a special education teacher in the Chicago Public Schools. Her husband, Antwon Brown, said she had an acupuncture appointment scheduled for Saturday morning that she never attended.
He said the night before she disappeared, the couple watched a movie before Brown went to bed. When he woke up the next morning, she was gone, he said.
Family members tried to contact Brown via phone calls and text messages, but after receiving no response, she was reported missing.
Relatives said Brown has a history of mental illness but has never gone missing before.
On Thursday, the family released new details in their search. They said Brown’s blue Honda Civic was found near 35th Street and Lake Park Avenue.
Surveillance video showed Brown parking her car, getting out and walking toward a pedestrian bridge that leads to the lakefront, family members said. She appeared to be alone in the footage, recorded around 3am on January 3, the day she was reported missing. She was last seen walking across the bridge.
A search team began looking for Brown along the lakeshore Friday morning and has been continuing since she was located Monday.
what they say
Brown’s family spoke about her death Monday night in a statement, shared below:
“It is with heavy hearts that we share an update regarding our beloved Linda Brown.
“Today, Linda’s body was found in the 31st Street Harbor along Chicago’s lakefront. This is not the outcome we were hoping or praying for, but we are grateful that she has been found and that she can now be brought home to our family.
“We want to express our deepest and most sincere gratitude to everyone who has supported us during this unimaginable time. To the individuals, organizations, volunteers, supporters and community members who have helped with the search, shared Linda’s story, amplified their flyer and stood by our family – your love, compassion and tireless efforts will never be forgotten.”
“At this time, we respectfully request privacy as we grieve, process this loss, and come together as a family to honor Linda’s life.
“Thank you for continuing to keep our family in your thoughts and prayers. – Linda’s family”
Brown’s niece, Jen River, said her husband Antwon was “furious” after learning she was found dead.
“He’s on his own, he’s very, very upset. This was not the outcome that any of us were hoping for … He truly believed that we were going to bring Linda home safely and that she would be alive and well. He’s very deep in pain, it’s hard for him to talk and process his thoughts,” River said. “She just lost the love of her life.”
After Brown’s story gained national attention, the family took time to address some of the rumors and speculation they said could now be put to rest.
“Antwon was always innocent. He was never a suspect in this case… I’ve seen a lot of Antwon’s apologies. It doesn’t matter now, but I’m glad people are seeing who Antwon really is. I’m glad the facts are out and now we can move forward as a family,” River said.
Principal of Robert Healy Elementary School, where Brown was employed, issued a statement about her passing in a letter to the school community, shared below:
“Dear Healy Community,
“It is with deep sadness that I inform you of a situation affecting our community. Mrs. Linda Brown, one of our teachers, has passed away. Our thoughts are with her family during this difficult time. We know this loss will raise many emotions, concerns and questions for our entire school, especially our students.
“We are working closely with the Chicago Public Schools Crisis Management Unit to provide grief counseling and support to students and staff members. Our own school mental health professionals will also be available to students who need ongoing services.”
“Funeral service information will be made available as soon as we have it. If your child wishes to attend, we strongly encourage you to accompany them to the service. If the funeral is scheduled during school hours, students who wish to attend will need parental permission to be released from school.
“We are deeply saddened by this loss and will do everything we can to help our school community heal.
“Sincerely, Mr. Director Kamradt”
What’s next
Details of funeral arrangements have not yet been announced. We’ll bring more updates to this story as they become available.
Source
Information in this article was provided by the Chicago Police Department, Linda’s family and previous reporting by FOX 32.