Chicago authorities have launched an urgent search for a local special education teacher who vanished without a trace while travelling to a weekend appointment.
Disappearance After Leaving Home
Linda Brown, aged 53, was last seen on Saturday, January 3, in the 4500 block of South Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, close to her home in the Bronzeville area. According to Chicago police, Brown was heading to a scheduled acupuncture session in Wicker Park but never arrived.
Her husband, Antwon Brown, told NBC5 he last saw his wife on Friday night when the couple watched a film and went to bed. "Everything was fine," he said. "Next morning I woke up, it was like 8:35 a.m., and she was gone. No sign of her. I thought she went to acupuncture because she goes to acupuncture on Saturdays."
Growing Concern and Family Search
When Brown failed to appear for her appointment and became unreachable by phone, her family's concern quickly escalated. "The hours that went past around 1:30, 2 p.m. I'm starting to wonder, like, 'What's going on?'" Antwon Brown recounted. "She hasn't called me, because she normally would call me and tell me where she is going. She never did."
The family spent Monday retracing her last known steps and contacting area hospitals, but their efforts have yielded no information. Antwon Brown described his state as "terrified" and "just shaking," adding, "I need my wife home." He confirmed she left home with her mobile phone, purse, and credit cards.
Police Appeal and Description
Police have issued details of a vehicle they believe Brown may be using. She is thought to be driving a blue Honda Civic with Illinois license plate CX57470 and could be in or around the 2200 block of West North Avenue. Authorities have stated she "may be in need of medical assistance."
Brown is a teacher at Robert Healy Elementary School in Bridgeport. The school's principal, Erin Kamradt, notified families of her disappearance, writing that the school was partnering with the CPS Crisis Management Unit to support students and staff.
Linda Brown is described as 5 feet tall, weighing between 130 and 140 pounds, with a fair complexion. She was last seen wearing a long black puffy coat and shiny UGG-style boots. Relatives told NBC5 she was due to return to work on Monday following a leave of absence.
Chicago police ask anyone with information about Linda Brown’s whereabouts to contact Area One Special Victims Unit detectives at 312-747-8380.
