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NFL Star's Family Tragedy: What Led to the Heartbreaking 911 Call?
Baltimore Ravens star Calais Campbell told a 911 dispatcher that his brother is “mentally ill” and was “diagnosed with schizophrenia” on a call the day their mother was killed, according to audio obtained by TMZ Sports on Thursday, July 2.
Calais’ brother, Ciarre, is charged with murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm or knife in relation to the death of their mom, 71-year-old Nateal Campbell, Us Weekly confirmed on Wednesday, July 1.
During the 911 call, Calais, 39, asked the dispatcher to send police for a wellness check to Buckhead, the Atlanta neighborhood where Nateal’s body was eventually found inside a townhome on Tuesday, June 30.
“This morning, he drove in her car, which is very unusual,” Calais said on the call. “He doesn’t drive at all…we can’t get in her house. I just tried to jump the window and he’s in there and she says she left, but the camera footage that my neighbor has showed she never left. We’re just trying to get in there.”
He then gave a description of his mother to the dispatcher and explained that he did not have the code for her garage door and had no other way of accessing the home.
Nateal was pronounced dead at the scene with several cuts to her neck, WHSV reported. Authorities revealed in a press release that an unidentified male had “barricaded himself inside the home.”
Lieutenant Christapher Butler told reporters that there had been “calls back in April” related to the Buckhead residence and a “possible arson incident.”
“There have been some indications of possibly some mental health issues with an individual,” he added.
Defense attorney Jay Abt told WSBTV that police had obtained search warrants for the home, clothing and DNA.
“We vigorously protest [Ciarre’s] innocence,” Abt told the network. “We look forward to his day in court. I’m honored to defend him and, most importantly, the Campbell family, I’m asking on their behalf that the public respect their privacy at this time.”
The Campbell family also released a statement but did not mention Ciarre being a suspect in Nateal’s death.
“We are devastated to share that the Campbell Family has lost its matriarch, Mrs. Nateal Campbell,” the statement read. “While the details of her passing are still being investigated, we take comfort in knowing she is reunited with our father, her beloved Chuck, and in the arms of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We ask for privacy at this time so that we may honor her and share in our overwhelming grief privately and as a family.”
Calais signed a one-year, $5.5 million contract with the Ravens in May and announced in June that this would likely be his final season.
“We are incredibly saddened to learn about the passing of Calais Campbell’s mother,” the Ravens said in a statement. “We extend our deepest condolences and full support to Calais and his family during this difficult time. We ask that everyone please respect their privacy while they grieve from this heartbreaking loss.”
