In a tragic development, Linda Brown, a special education teacher from Chicago who had been reported missing earlier this month, has been discovered deceased. Her body was found in the waters of Lake Michigan near the 3100-block of South Lake Shore Drive, as confirmed by Chicago police on Monday. Brown was 53 years old.

Although her body has been recovered, the cause of Brown’s death remains undetermined, leaving many questions unanswered. The last known sighting of Brown was on January 3, near her home in the 4500-block of South Martin Luther King Drive.

Insights into the events leading up to her disappearance were provided by security footage, as previously reported by CrimeOnline. The video captured Brown parking her blue Honda Civic and then walking away from the vehicle, an action that has puzzled investigators and her family alike.

Further details emerged when Brown’s brother-in-law, Lorenzo, shared with Crime Stories staff that her car was subsequently found at 35th and Lake Park. This area is significant because surveillance footage from there showed Brown crossing a pedestrian bridge alone in the early hours, around 3 a.m., on January 3.

The discovery of Brown’s body closes one chapter in this heartbreaking story, but her family and community are left grappling for closure as they await further information from the ongoing investigation.

Her sister’s husband, Lorenzo, told our “Crime Stories” staff that Linda’s vehicle was later located at 35th and Lake Park. The footage showed her walking across a pedestrian bridge alone on January 3, at around 3 a.m.

It’s unclear how Brown, a longtime teacher at Robert Healy Elementary School, got into the water.

CPD urges anyone with information to contact Area One SVU detectives at 312-747-8380.

The story is developing. Check back for updates.

[Feature Photo via Chicago Teachers Union]