A frantic 911 call has revealed how NFL star Calais Campbell’s family feared for their mother’s wellbeing before she was allegedly murdered by their ‘mentally ill’ brother at her Atlanta home.
Nateal Campbell, 71, was pronounced deceased inside her townhouse in the plush Buckhead neighborhood of Atlanta on Tuesday afternoon.
Officers found her unresponsive with her throat cut when they arrived at around 12:30pm Tuesday, according to a police statement.
Ciarre Campbell, the 41-year-old son of the deceased, was detained at the property and charged on two counts of murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm or knife during commission of or attempt to commit a felony.
Atlanta Police have since released the harrowing 911 call made by one of Calais’s brothers, desperately requesting a welfare check after he was unable to get hold of his mother.
‘It was kind of a wellness check, my brother, he’s mentally ill, he’s been diagnosed with schizophrenia and some other things. He stays with my mother, And this morning we’re trying to get in,’ the caller, who was identified only as ‘Mr Campbell,’ told a dispatcher.
NFL star Calais Campbell’s mother, Nateal, 71, was allegedly murdered by his brother
Ciarre Campbell, 41, is pictured in his booking photo after being charged with murder
Ciarre, who is two years older than Calais, was said to have been caught driving away from the home in his mother’s car by a neighbor, according to the caller.
The caller added that it was ‘very unusual’ as Ciarre does not drive at all and that their mother ‘never let’ him.
They continued to explain that they could not gain entry to the home, adding that Ciarre had told them their mother wasn’t in the house despite witnesses disputing the claim.
‘I just tried to jump the window, and he’s in there, and he said she left, but the camera footage that my neighbor has shows she never left. So we’re just trying to get in there,’ the caller said.
He added that their mother was ‘fairly older’ but did not have specific medical, physical or mental health issues.
‘She’s not mentally ill, it’s my brother who’s mentally ill,’ he said.
The caller’s sister and brother-in-law could be heard frantically asking questions in the background of the call.
The dispatcher warned them to not try to gain entry to the home, urging them to wait until officers arrived on the scene.
Calais is pictured with his late mother who was found dead at her Atlanta home on Tuesday
Calais is entering his 19th NFL season after stints in Arizona, Jacksonville, Atlanta and Miami
Police arrested Calais’ brother Ciarre for murder after he barricaded himself inside the home
According to a release from the Atlanta Police department, when officers attempted to enter the property they found that a male had barricaded himself inside.
Officers gained entry to the property and detained the individual, who was later identified as Ciarre.
In the wake of Nateal’s death, the Campbell family released a statement, which was shared online by NFL insider Ian Rapoport.
‘We are devastated to share that the Campbell Family has lost its matriarch, Mrs. Nateal Campbell,’ it began.
‘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.’
The heartbreaking death of his mother comes as Calais is currently preparing to enter his 19th season in the league having just signed a $5.5m, one-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens.
Prior to that, he had played in Arizona, Jacksonville, Atlanta and Miami, being voted the Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2019, and a member of the 2010s All-Decade Team.
The young Campbell family are pictured with their late parents, Charles and Nateal
Calais, previously the NFL’s Man of the Year for his charity work, recently signed for Baltimore
His Man of the Year win was due to his founding of the Charles Richard Campbell Foundation, alongside his mother and seven siblings. The charity, named after his late father, enhances the community through the teaching of critical life skills to young people.
‘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,’ the Ravens said in a statement posted to social media.
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.
‘At this time of unfathomable tragedy, our hearts are with Calais Campbell and his family. We hope they find strength and comfort in the love, prayers, and support that surround them now and in the days ahead,’ the Cardinals said in a statement posted to social media.
