At a Glance
- Linda Brown, 53, vanished Jan. 3; her body was recovered from Lake Michigan on Jan. 12
- The Cook County Medical Examiner confirmed identity; autopsy scheduled for Jan. 13
- Brown, a special-education teacher, had taken leave for mental-health treatment
- Why it matters: Case highlights gaps in locating vulnerable adults before tragedy strikes
Linda Brown, the 53-year-old Chicago special-education teacher whose disappearance sparked a city-wide search, has been found dead in Lake Michigan, authorities confirmed Monday.
Discovery Near 31st Street Harbor
A marine unit recovered Brown’s body underwater near the 3100 block of South Lake Shore Drive on the morning of Jan. 12, according to the Chicago Police Department. The location sits along the city’s South Side, close to the 31st Street Harbor where her family later said she was found.
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the body as Brown on the same day, News Of Losangeles reported. An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 13, and the cause of death remains undetermined.
Family Confirms Tragic Outcome
“Today, Linda’s body was found in the 31st Street Harbor along the Chicago lakefront. This is not the outcome we were hoping or praying for, but we are grateful that she has been found and can now be brought home to our family,” relatives said in a statement provided to Fox 32 Chicago.
They thanked supporters and asked for privacy as they grieve.
Last Known Movements
Brown was last seen alive on Saturday, Jan. 3, in the 4500 block of South Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, according to a now-removed missing-person bulletin. A flyer circulated by the Chicago Teachers Union stated she planned to travel to the Wicker Park neighborhood for an acupuncture appointment that morning but never arrived.
Her husband, Antwon Brown, told WLS on Jan. 5 that the couple watched a movie at home the night before her disappearance and went to bed together.
“Next morning, I woke up, it was like 8:35 a.m., and she was gone,” he said. She left with her purse and credit cards, leading him to believe she had left for the scheduled acupuncture session.
When she failed to return, he reported her missing.
Car Located, Details Withheld
Roughly a week after she vanished, Antwon said Chicago police located her car, towed it, and found no visible damage. Neither he nor investigators disclosed where the vehicle was discovered, Fox 32 Chicago and CBS Chicago noted.
Mental-Health Struggles
Antwon told CBS Chicago that his wife of 11 years had taken a leave of absence from Robert Healy Elementary School in Bridgeport to address “mental issues.”
“She has a little mental issues going on, and she took a leave of absence from her job to get help for that,” he said. “As school was getting closer, it was kind of getting worse, like the anxiety, the panic attacks.”
She was expected to return to work Jan. 5, two days after she disappeared.
Mayor Honors Educator’s Legacy
“I am deeply saddened by the news of Linda Brown’s passing,” Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a statement. “As a special education teacher at Healy Elementary she made an immeasurable impact on countless young lives and was a vital member of the Bridgeport community. I’m praying for her family, and for her students as they grieve and remember Linda and all the joy she brought.”
Investigation Status
News Of Losangeles has contacted the Cook County Medical Examiner and the Chicago Police Department for additional information. Authorities have not released further details about how long Brown may have been in the water or what led to her being there.
Key Takeaways
- Brown disappeared after leaving home for what her husband believed was a routine acupuncture visit
- Her car was later found and towed by police, but its discovery location remains undisclosed
- An autopsy scheduled for Jan. 13 may provide clarity on cause and time of death
- Family, colleagues, and city leaders remember the veteran teacher for her dedication to special-needs students
