Ex-NFL player Sergio Brown missing as police investigate mother's homicide

Sept. 18 (UPI) -- Former NFL player Sergio Brown is missing amid an investigation into his mother's homicide, which occurred outside her Maywood, Ill., home, local officials said.

The Maywood Police Department said in a news release that family members informed authorities Saturday that Myrtle Brown and Sergio Brown could not be located or contacted. The police were unsuccessful in their initial attempts to contact or locate them.

Officers said they then conducted a wide search of the area and found Myrtle Brown dead near a creek outside her home. They transported her to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office for further analysis.

Maywood police Cmdr. Dennis Diaz said Monday that the medical examiner's office ruled the death a homicide and that Myrtle Brown died from multiple injuries she sustained from an assault.

Police were attempting to locate Sergio Brown as of Monday morning. Detectives are investigating.

Brown, 35, attended Proviso East High School in Maywood. He played at Notre Dame from 2006 through 2009 and was an undrafted free agent signing by the New England Patriots in 2010.

The former defensive back spent two seasons with the Patriots. He also played for the Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars and Buffalo Bills.

Brown went to the Super Bowl with the Patriots in 2012. He totaled 144 combined tackles, 10 passes defensed, five tackles for a loss, four fumble recoveries, 2.5 sacks and an interception in 94 NFL appearances.