ATLANTA (AP) — The brother of NFL athlete Calais Campbell faces murder charges after police discovered their 71-year-old mother deceased at her Atlanta residence during a welfare check.
According to arrest documents, Nateal Campbell suffered a fatal throat wound, and law enforcement found Ciarre Campbell in possession of a knife. Police, responding around 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, found her unresponsive as per their report.
Ciarre Campbell was detained at Fulton County Jail, with a court appearance scheduled for Wednesday morning on counts of aggravated assault and murder. Online court records did not list any attorney representing him for these charges.
The Campbell family has released a statement, seeking privacy to cope with their “overwhelming grief.”
“We are heartbroken to announce the passing of the Campbell Family’s matriarch, Mrs. Nateal Campbell,” the family’s statement expressed. “Though the circumstances of her death are still being probed, we find solace in knowing she is joined with our father, her cherished Chuck, and in the embrace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
A defensive lineman for the Baltimore Ravens, Calais Campbell is entering his 19th NFL season after signing a one-year, $5.5 million contract in April.
The 2017 first-team AP All-Pro selection has been voted to the Pro Bowl six times in a career that started as a second-round pick in 2008 with the Arizona Cardinals.
The 39-year-old former Miami Hurricane spent 10 seasons with the Cardinals and also played in Jacksonville, Atlanta, and Miami.
Campbell has 117 career sacks in 278 games, including 259 starts.