ATLANTA (AP) — Tragedy struck the family of NFL player Calais Campbell as his brother was charged with murder following the discovery of their 71-year-old mother’s body in an Atlanta residence. The authorities made the grim discovery during a welfare check.
According to arrest warrants, Nateal Campbell was found with her throat slashed, and her son, Ciarre Campbell, was allegedly in possession of a knife at the scene. Police arrived at the home around 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, where they discovered Mrs. Campbell unresponsive, as detailed in a police statement.
Ciarre Campbell was subsequently detained and booked into Fulton County Jail. He faced an initial court hearing set for Wednesday morning on charges that include aggravated assault and murder. Online court records did not list any attorney prepared to speak on his behalf regarding these charges.
The Campbell family released a statement requesting privacy as they navigate this period of “overwhelming grief.”
“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our matriarch, Mrs. Nateal Campbell,” the family expressed in their statement. “Though we continue to seek answers about her tragic passing, we find solace in the thought that she is now reunited with our father, her cherished Chuck, and embraced by 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.