The tragic mass shooting at Brown University on December 13, 2025, which claimed the lives of two talented students and injured nine others, has taken a disturbing new turn. Just two weeks after the attack, the family of victim Ella Cook received a mysterious phone call late at night on December 26, raising fears of ongoing threats linked to the incident.

Ella Cook, a 19-year-old sophomore from Alabama, was known as a bright, faithful young woman with a promising future. Described by friends and family as a “bright light,” she was an accomplished pianist, fluent in French, and actively involved in campus life, including serving as vice president of the Brown College Republicans. She was studying mathematics and economics when a gunman entered a classroom in the Barus and Holley building during a review session, opening fire indiscriminately.

The shooter, identified as former Brown graduate student Claudio Neves Valente, a 48-year-old Portuguese national, killed Cook and freshman Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov before fleeing. Valente later fatally shot an MIT professor in a related incident and was found dead from a self-inflicted wound days afterward. Authorities have described the motive as personal grievances from decades ago, with no evidence of broader ideological targeting.

Yet, the grief-stricken Cook family now faces fresh terror. According to reports from the victim’s mother, a woman’s voice called their home at precisely 11:17 PM on December 26. The caller spoke only seven cryptic words directly referencing the shooting before hanging up. The exact message has not been publicly disclosed, but it was chilling enough to prompt immediate concerns about harassment or potential copycat threats.

This incident comes amid a wave of misinformation that plagued the initial investigation. False rumors swirled online, wrongly accusing innocent students and fueling conspiracy theories. Law enforcement has repeatedly urged the public to avoid speculation, emphasizing that the case involved a lone actor with no ongoing threat to the community.

Brown University President Christina Paxson has expressed ongoing support for affected families, noting the profound impact on the campus. Counseling services remain available, and memorials continue to honor Cook and Umurzokov, both remembered for their brilliance and kindness.

For Ella Cook’s family, already devastated by unimaginable loss, this anonymous call adds an layer of fear during what should be a time of mourning and healing. Authorities are investigating the call’s origin, though details remain limited. As the holiday season ends, questions linger: Was this a cruel prank, targeted intimidation, or something more sinister tied to the tragedy?

The Brown shooting underscores the lingering trauma of gun violence on American campuses. With the suspect deceased, closure seems elusive, and now new shadows emerge, leaving families to wonder if the nightmare is truly over.