Former NFL player Sergio Brown pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to charges of first-degree murder and concealing a homicide in the death of his mother, Myrtle Brown, in Maywood, Illinois. The 73-year-old woman's body was found on September 16 near a creek in Maywood, with the Cook County Medical Examiner's office ruling her death a homicide due to blunt force trauma. Sergio Brown, 35, and his mother lived together in Maywood. Brown was arrested in San Diego on October 10 after being deported from Mexico and was extradited back to Maywood two weeks later.

During the investigation, authorities found similarities between DNA samples from under Myrtle Brown's fingernails and a toothbrush in Sergio Brown's bedroom. However, Brown's public defender, Robert Fox, argued in court that there was no direct evidence and that it was all circumstantial. Prosecutors also presented evidence that Brown admitted to going to Mexico with his mother's belongings and using her credit card there following her death.

The story began when Myrtle Brown was last seen alive on the evening of September 14 at her home. Two days later, one of her sons went to their shared home and discovered blood on the back patio. Brown's body was later found near the back door of their home. It was determined that she died from injuries related to an assault and her death was ruled a homicide.

Brown had flown to Mexico on September 15 but was taken into custody by Mexican authorities in early October. He was then deported to San Diego and arrested by US law enforcement on October 10. An Illinois judge ordered Brown to be held without bail, stating that he presented a "real and present threat" to the community.

The case is still ongoing, with a status hearing scheduled for January 24 in Maywood. Sergio Brown, a former defensive back, played football at Proviso East High School before attending Notre Dame and later signing with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played seven seasons in the NFL with multiple teams before his last season in 2016.