Linda Brown, 53, a Chicago special-education teacher, was last seen early on Jan. 3 near the 4500 block of South Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Security footage reportedly shows her leaving a blue Honda Civic and walking across a pedestrian bridge toward the lakefront at about 3 a.m., but there is no footage of her returning. Her undamaged car was recovered near South Lake Park Ave and E. 35th St.; family-led and police searches are underway, and anyone with information is asked to call 312-747-8380.
Missing Chicago Special-Education Teacher Was Seen Walking From Her Car on Video, Family Says
Chicago Police DepartmentLinda Brown, who has been missing since Jan. 3
Linda Brown, a 53-year-old special-education teacher from Chicago, has been missing since the early hours of Saturday, Jan. 3, authorities and family members say. Relatives released details after reviewing security footage and locating Brown’s vehicle near the lakefront.
Family members and local news outlets say surveillance video captured Brown leaving a blue Honda Civic and walking across a pedestrian bridge toward the lakefront at approximately 3 a.m. The footage does not show her returning. Police later found the vehicle undamaged near South Lake Park Avenue and East 35th Street.
What Family and Police Are Saying
Brown’s husband, Antwon Brown, told reporters on Jan. 7 that he last saw his wife around midnight on Friday into Saturday. He said she left home with her purse and credit cards but did not attend a scheduled acupuncture appointment later that morning.
“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, adding that her anxiety and panic attacks had been worsening as she prepared to return to work.
Antwon said Linda taught at Robert Healy Elementary School in the Bridgeport neighborhood and had been on a medical leave for several months, with plans to return the week of Jan. 5. Family members have suggested she may have been traveling on foot after leaving her car.
Ongoing Search Efforts
Detectives have searched the lakefront area and are reviewing available footage for additional clues. Brown’s family organized a private search scheduled for Friday, Jan. 9, and continues to ask the public for any information or video that could shed light on her movements that night.
Description And How To Help
Chicago police describe Brown as about 5 feet tall, weighing approximately 130 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Area One Special Victims Unit at 312-747-8380 or call 911.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental-health issues, resources are available: text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to connect with a certified crisis counselor.
The family and investigators continue to appeal to witnesses and to anyone with video from the lakefront or surrounding streets during the early hours of Jan. 3 to come forward.
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