Family members say a vehicle belonging to a missing Chicago teacher, who disappeared while traveling to an acupuncture appointment in the city over the weekend, has been located, but the search for the 53-year-old continues.
Linda Brown was last seen on Jan. 3 in the 4500 block of South Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, according to police. Authorities had said Brown was driving a blue Honda Civic with an Illinois license plate of CX57470.
Family members on Thursday said Brown’s vehicle was found earlier this week near 35th Street and Lake Park along Chicago’s lakefront. Police have not provided an update on their search efforts.
Brown’s family said video footage obtained by detectives shows Brown leaving the vehicle in that same area, but that footage has not been confirmed by authorities.
A search party near where the vehicle was located is being planned, relatives said.
According to a missing person flyer surrounding her disappearance, Brown has been missing since she left her home in the Bronzeville neighborhood and headed to the Wicker Park area for an acupuncture appointment. She never made it and hasn’t been heard from or seen since.
“I am terrified,” said Brown’s husband Antwon Brown. “I am just shaking. I need my wife home.”
Her husband said Brown had her phone, purse and credit cards when she left for her appointment.
“We are just trying our best to locate her,” said her brother-in-law Lorenzo Quintana. “We are looking everywhere we possibly can.”
Authorities said Brown “may be in need of medical assistance.” Relatives told NBC Chicago she was scheduled to return to her work as a teacher with Chicago Public Schools Monday following a leave of absence.
Brown’s sister Lisa Quintana said her disappearance is “so not like her.”
The principal for Robert Healy Elementary School, Erin Kamradt, wrote in a letter to parents that the school is aware of Brown’s disappearance and asked anyone with information to contact CPD.
“I know that news like this can cause many emotions, questions, and concerns for our school community. Please know that we are partnering with the CPS Crisis Management Unit to support our students and staff members,” Kamradt wrote. “If you feel that your child would benefit from additional social-emotional support, please do not hesitate to let us know. Our own school-based mental health professionals will also be available as needed.”
While a missing person alert from Chicago police describes Brown as being around 5 feet tall, the missing person flyer says she is 5 feet, 7 inches tall, weighing between 130-140 pounds with fair complexion. She was last seen wearing a long, puffy black coat and shiny UGG-style boots.
Anyone with information on her disappearance is being asked to contact Area One SVU detectives at (312) 747-8380.
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