Chicago police have released a new image of Linda Brown, a 53-year-old special education teacher who vanished on January 3 after walking alone near South Lake Park Avenue.
At a Glance
- Linda Brown disappeared on January 3 near 3500 South Lake Park Avenue
- Police photo shows her in all-black winter clothing walking eastbound
- Her blue Honda Civic was later found undamaged near the same intersection
- Surveillance at 3 a.m. captured her crossing a pedestrian bridge to the lakefront without returning
- Why it matters: The footage and vehicle discovery are the last confirmed traces of the beloved teacher, who family say was struggling with mental-health issues
The new photo, distributed by the Chicago Police Department, shows Brown wearing “a black winter hat, a black coat, black pants and black rubber snow boots” as she headed east from the 3500 block of South Lake Park Avenue. Investigators noted she “could be in need of immediate medical attention.”
Last Known Movements
Brown is believed to have been driving her blue Honda Civic when she disappeared. According to her husband, Antwon Brown, the car was located undamaged near South Lake Park Avenue and East 35th Street. Surveillance footage timestamped 3 a.m. on January 3 shows Linda walking across a pedestrian bridge leading toward the lakefront; no footage shows her returning.
Antwon told local outlets that he last saw his wife of 11 years around midnight as January 2 became January 3. She left home with her purse and credit cards but never arrived at a scheduled acupuncture appointment later that day.
Mental-Health Struggles
Linda, who teaches at Robert Healy Elementary School in Bridgeport, had taken a leave of absence to address escalating anxiety and panic attacks, her husband explained. “She has a little mental issues going on, and she took a leave of absence from her job to get help for that,” Antwon said. “As school was getting closer, it was kind of getting worse.”
She had been expected to return to the classroom on Monday, January 5.
Description & Contact
Police describe Linda Brown as:
- 5 feet tall
- 130 lbs
- Brown hair and brown eyes
- Last seen in all-black winter attire
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Area One Special Victims Unit at 312-747-8380 or dial 911.
Key Takeaways
- New police image captures Linda Brown minutes before she disappeared
- Vehicle found, but no sightings since the 3 a.m. bridge crossing
- Family says anxiety intensified as her return-to-work date neared
- Investigators stress she may require urgent medical care
