A former NFL star who disappeared after his mother was found murdered in a creek was “crazy” in the weeks leading up to the ordeal, a neighbor said.
Sergio Brown, 35, has not been found since the body of Myrtle Brown, 73, was discovered washed up in Addison Creek Reservoir outside Chicago, Illinois.
Following Saturday’s tragic news, Brown uploaded a bizarre video to Instagram, reportedly filmed in Mexico, in which he claimed he thought his murdered mother was on vacation.
Neighbors now say they saw Brown burn his mother’s clothes on a bonfire on their doorbell camera – and family members say he ‘wasn’t himself’ during of the last few months.
Carlos Cortez, who lives near Myrtle’s home and helped police establish the timeline of events, said WBBM: ‘They saw him taking out the trash, and they saw him start a bonfire where he burned all his clothes.’
Sergio Brown, 35, has not been found since the body of Myrtle Brown, 73, was discovered washed up in Addison Creek Reservoir outside Chicago, Illinois. Sergio played for the University of Notre Dame before continuing his career in the NFL. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the New England Patriots as a safety in 2010.
Myrtle Brown, 73, was found dead in the creek Saturday. Her neighbors remember her as an “exceptional woman”. According to previously unreleased security footage, her son burned all of his clothes on a bonfire after his death. No one has been arrested for his murder
Carlos Cortez, who lives near Myrtle’s home and helped police establish the timeline of events, said: “They saw him take out the trash and they saw him start a bonfire where he burned all his clothes”.
He said Sergio’s behavior in the security footage was “consistent” with what his family members had told him about his recent activities.
Cortez, who said he last saw Sergio on Thursday, added: “They said he wasn’t himself the last few months. He was crazy.
He remembered his neighbor Myrtle as an “exceptional woman.” The images showing the ex-footballer burning his clothes have not been released by police.
The former professional athlete was last seen with his mother on August 25 as they left their home to go to a family reunion in Mississippi – but they never showed up.
After an examination of the body Sunday, the Cook County medical examiner’s office ruled her death a homicide after concluding she suffered assault-related injuries. There were no further updates Wednesday.
The Maywood Police Department said this is an “active investigation” and therefore cannot share more details at this time.
Myrtle Brown’s sister, Sheila Simmons, said WGN The last time she spoke to her sister was Thursday, September 14.
He also played for the Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons, Jacksonville Jaguars and Buffalo Bills.
It wasn’t until around 3 a.m. Saturday morning that Simmons received the call that her sister and nephew were missing.
Simmons quickly showed up at the home the two shared together and felt things were “out of the ordinary.”
She told WGN: “We’re going to find out what happened because it’s not normal for my sister not to answer her phone, not to answer text messages.
“People have been contacting her since Friday. No one could reach her.
“Now I got a call this morning saying she was missing, so I immediately came here and found out my sister was dead.”
Simmons reportedly searched the creek behind the house with police when they arrived, but found nothing.
It wasn’t until later, when she and other family members returned to search, that they found Myrtle’s body in Addison Creek Reservoir.
Myrtle Brown’s sister, Sheila Simmons, told WGN that the last time she spoke to her sister was September 14.
In a Facebook post, Sergio’s brother Nick described their mother as “strong” and “caring.”
Nick Brown, one of Myrtle Brown’s sons and the brother of Sergio Brown, described his mother as strong, caring, diligent, stylish and funny in a Facebook post.
He said: “This is 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.
“Mom, thank you for being strong, caring, diligent, whimsical, funny and for saving my art. I won’t let you down.
“My brother Sergio is still missing. If anyone knows where he is, I want them to know I love you and come home.
In the clip Sergio posted on Instagram, in which he tagged ESPN, he said: “Fake news.” It must be the FBI, they broke into my house… without justification.
“They kidnapped me twice from my home at the Maywood Police Department. It must have been the FBI or the Maywood police. I thought my mother was on vacation.
NFL star Sergio Brown (left) and his mother, Myrtle (right), were both reported missing on Saturday.
To finish his incoherent rambling, Brown adds: “It’s fucking fake news. Get the fuck out of my face.
“The FBI had to do it, they have the power to do stupid things.” What the fuck is going on, this is fake news. Don’t come with me.
Brown had shared the video on a secondary Instagram account and not on his verified profile.
DailyMail.com has not been able to verify that the account in question belongs to Brown, who has not been named as a suspect, according to The independent.
In the video, Brown appears to be in a warm climate, wearing a vest and apparently sitting under a thatched roof, while listening to Spanish music.
What appears to be papel picado, traditional Mexican decorative banners, can be seen hanging from the ceiling above him.
Sergio played for the University of Notre Dame before continuing his career in the NFL. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the New England Patriots as a safety in 2010.
After parting ways with the team in 2012, he later moved on and played for the Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons, Jacksonville Jaguars and Buffalo Bills.