The body of Linda Brown, a 53-year-old special education teacher from Chicago’s South Side, was recovered from Lake Michigan on January 13, 2026, bringing a tragic conclusion to a disappearance that had captivated the city for over a week. Brown, who taught at Robert Healy Elementary School, was reported missing on January 3 after failing to arrive at a scheduled acupuncture appointment in Wicker Park. Her blue Honda Civic was found abandoned near the 35th Street pedestrian bridge along the lakefront on January 7, prompting intensive searches by police, volunteers, and her family. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed her identity later that day, though the cause and manner of death were pending autopsy results. Authorities have not indicated foul play, but concerns about Brown’s mental health history have been central to the investigation.

Brown’s husband, Antwon Brown, issued a desperate public plea in the days leading up to the discovery, expressing his anguish over her sudden vanishing. “I’m broke down. I don’t know what to do. I’ve done everything,” Antwon told reporters on January 7, shortly after her car was located. “I’m talking to people. We’ve got people searching for her. I’m out of options.” The couple had spent a normal Friday evening together on January 3, watching a movie before bed. Antwon awoke around 8:45 a.m. the next morning to find her gone, assuming she had left for her appointment. When she didn’t return or respond to calls, he contacted authorities. “I am just shaking. I need my wife home,” he added, his voice reflecting the terror that gripped the family.

Linda Brown was a dedicated educator with over 15 years in the Chicago Public Schools system, specializing in special education at Robert Healy Elementary in the Bridgeport neighborhood. Colleagues and students remembered her as a positive force, always smiling and committed to her work. Her sister, Lisa Quintana, described her as someone who “loved helping kids” and “never missed a day of work.” Quintana emphasized Brown’s reliability: “She always went and she always had a smile on her face. Positive attitude all the time.” Brown had been on a leave of absence but was set to return to the classroom on January 6. Instead, her absence triggered concern among school staff, who joined the search efforts by sharing missing persons flyers through the Chicago Teachers Union.

The disappearance unfolded on January 4, when Brown left her home in the 4500 block of South Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Bronzeville for the acupuncture session. She took her purse and credit cards, which initially didn’t raise alarms. However, when she failed to arrive and ceased communication—a stark departure from her habit of staying in constant contact with Antwon—family members reported her missing. “No matter where she goes or what she’s doing, he knows where she is at,” Quintana said. “She was in contact with Antwon all the time.” Police issued a missing persons alert, classifying Brown as endangered due to her mental health challenges, for which she had been receiving treatment. Authorities initially believed she might be near the 2200 block of West North Avenue, but the focus shifted eastward when her vehicle was discovered.

Brown’s blue Honda Civic, bearing Illinois license plate CX57470, was found parked near the lakefront on January 7, prompting a shift in the investigation. Surveillance footage released by Chicago police showed Brown arriving at the location around 3 a.m. on January 4, exiting her car, and walking eastbound toward the lake. She was dressed in a black winter hat, black coat, black pants, and black rubber snow boots, appearing calm in the brief clip. The video, captured by city cameras on the pedestrian bridge, ended as she moved out of frame. “This is the last confirmed sighting,” Detective Maria Gonzalez stated during a January 9 briefing. The footage galvanized search efforts, with volunteers combing the shoreline from 31st Street Beach to Burnham Park.

The Chicago Police Department’s Missing Persons Unit, in coordination with the Chicago Fire Department’s Marine Unit, conducted extensive searches. Divers braved icy waters near the bridge, but initial efforts yielded no results due to poor visibility and harsh winter conditions. Volunteers, including family members and community groups, organized daily sweeps, using drones and flashlights to scan grassy areas and the lake’s edge. A GoFundMe campaign raised over $20,000 to support the family and fund additional resources. “The outpouring has been overwhelming,” Antwon said on January 10. “It shows how much she means to people.” The Chicago Teachers Union amplified the call for help, distributing flyers and urging members to join the searches.

On January 13, a body was spotted in the water near 31st Street Beach by a passerby, leading to a swift recovery operation. The remains were pulled from the lake around 10 a.m., and the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office positively identified them as Brown later that afternoon. Police confirmed the discovery in a statement: “After over a week of uncertainty and mounting fear, a missing Chicago teacher has been found.” Family members, gathered at the scene, were notified immediately. Quintana, speaking to FOX 32 Chicago, expressed heartbreak: “We’re devastated, but at least we have closure.” The medical examiner has not yet released the cause of death, pending toxicology and autopsy reports, but sources indicate no obvious signs of trauma.

Brown’s mental health struggles have been a focal point, with family acknowledging she was managing depression but insisting it was under control. “She wouldn’t just walk away,” Hannon, her cousin, told NBC Chicago. Advocates have used the case to highlight the need for better mental health resources. Dr. Sarah Kline of the Illinois Mental Health Association noted: “Disappearances like this often stem from untreated or escalating conditions. We need better support for at-risk individuals.” The incident echoes other lakefront tragedies in Chicago, where strong currents and isolation have contributed to accidental deaths or suicides. In 2025, the city reported a 10% increase in such incidents, per the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System.

Community response has been profound. A vigil at Robert Healy Elementary on January 10 drew over 100 people, with students sharing memories of Brown’s encouragement. Principal Elena Ramirez said: “Linda was the heart of our team. We’re praying for her safe return—now, we mourn.” The school provided counseling, and the district issued a statement: “Our thoughts are with her family during this difficult time.” Social media campaigns with #FindLindaBrown shifted to #RIPLindaBrown, amassing thousands of tributes. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson addressed the recovery: “This is a heartbreaking loss for our city. We stand with the Brown family.”

Brown, standing about 5 feet 7 inches and weighing 130 pounds, with brown hair and eyes, was a fixture in her community. Born and raised in Chicago, she dedicated her life to education, often organizing drives for underprivileged students. Her adult children from a previous marriage, along with Antwon, have been supported by relatives. A memorial service is planned for January 18 at a local church, with donations directed to mental health charities in her name.

The investigation continues, with police reviewing phone records—her cell last pinged near the bridge at 3:30 a.m. on January 4—and financials showing no unusual activity. While foul play is not suspected, authorities urge anyone with information to call 312-746-9690. Alderman Sophia King called for enhanced lakefront safety measures, including better lighting and patrols.

This case underscores Chicago’s challenges with missing persons—over 1,200 active cases in Illinois last year—and the silent toll of mental health issues. For the Browns, closure comes with sorrow. As Antwon reflected in his final plea: “She was everything to us.” The city mourns a teacher whose legacy of kindness endures amid the tragedy.