After more than a week of uncertainty and mounting fear, a missing Chicago teacher has been found deceased.

The body of Linda Brown, 53, was recovered Monday afternoon from Lake Michigan in the 31st Street Harbor following several days of searching the lakefront, according to her family. Chicago police confirmed Brown had been found but did not release any further details in the investigation.

The backstory:

Brown was reported missing Saturday, Jan. 3, after she was last seen in the 4500 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in the Bronzeville neighborhood.

She is a Chicago Public Schools special education teacher. Her husband, Antwon Brown, said she had an acupuncture appointment scheduled for Saturday morning that she never attended.

He said the night before her disappearance, the couple watched a movie before Brown went to bed. When he woke up the next morning, she was gone, he said.

Family members tried contacting Brown through phone calls and text messages, but after receiving no response, she was reported missing.

Relatives said Brown has a history of mental illness but had never gone missing before.

On Thursday, the family released new details in their search. They said Brown’s blue Honda Civic was found near 35th Street and Lake Park Avenue.

Surveillance video showed Brown parking her car, getting out and walking toward a pedestrian bridge leading to the lakefront, family members said. She appeared to be alone in the footage, recorded about 3 a.m. Jan. 3, the day she was reported missing. She was last seen walking across the bridge.

A search party began looking for Brown along the lakefront Friday morning and has been ongoing since she was located on Monday.

What they’re saying:

Brown’s family spoke out about her death Monday evening in a statement, shared below:

“It is with heavy hearts that we share an update regarding our beloved Linda Brown.

“Today, Linda’s body was found in the 31st Street Harbor along the Chicago lakefront. This is not the outcome we were hoping or praying for, but we are grateful that she has been found and can now be brought home to our family.

“We want to extend our deepest and most sincere gratitude to everyone who supported us during this unimaginable time. To the individuals, organizations, volunteers, advocates, and members of the community who helped search, shared Linda’s story, amplified her flyer, and stood beside our family — your love, compassion, and tireless efforts will never be forgotten. The outpouring of support meant more to us than words can express.

“At this time, we are respectfully asking for privacy as we grieve, process this loss, and come together as a family to honor Linda’s life.

“Thank you for continuing to hold our family in your thoughts and prayers. – Linda’s Family”

Brown’s niece, Jen River, said her husband Antwon, is “beside himself” after learning she was found deceased.

“He is beside himself, he is very, very upset. This wasn’t the outcome any of us hoped for… He really thought that we would bring Linda home safely and she would be alive and well. He is very deep in grief, having a hard time speaking and processing his thoughts,” River said. “He just lost the love of his life.”

After Brown’s story drew nationwide attention, the family also took time to address some of the rumors and speculations they said could now be put to rest.

“Antwon has always been innocent. He’s never been a suspect in this case… We’ve seen a lot of apologies to Antwon. It doesn’t matter now but I’m glad people are seeing who Antwon truly is. I’m glad the facts have been released and we can now move on as a family,” River said.

Principal of Robert Healy Elementary School, where Brown was employed, issued a statement on her passing in a letter to the school community, shared below:

“Dear Healy Community,

“It is with deep sadness that I update you on a situation impacting our community. Ms. Linda Brown, one of our teachers, has passed away. Our thoughts are with her family during this difficult time. We know that this loss will raise many emotions, concerns, and questions for our entire school, especially our students.

“We are working closely with the Chicago Public Schools Crisis Management Unit to provide grief counseling and support to students and staff members. Our own school-based mental health professionals will also be available for students who need ongoing services.

“Information about the funeral service will be made available as soon as we have it. If your child wishes to attend, we strongly encourage you to accompany them to the service. If the funeral is scheduled during school hours, students who wish to attend will need parental permission to be released from school.

“We are deeply saddened by this loss and will do everything we can to help our school community heal.

“Sincerely, Principal Kamradt”

What’s next:

Details on funeral arrangements haven’t yet been announced. We’ll bring more updates to this story as they become available.