Relatives remember missing CPS teacher found in Lake Michigan as 'an incredible, amazing human'

Anyone who met Linda Brown would agree that her laughter and infectious personality had a way of making everyone around her feel safe and welcome.

“I think that I can speak for just about everyone who's come in contact with Linda that that's been your experience,” her niece, Jen Rivera, told the Sun-Times. “You're just positively impacted by her. She was just an incredible, amazing human.”

Brown, 53, was a teacher at Robert Healy Elementary School and was reported missing Jan. 3 by her family after they couldn’t reach her and she missed an acupuncture appointment.

Brown’s body was recovered from Lake Michigan near the 3100 block of South Lake Shore Drive on Monday, Chicago police said.

Rivera, along with other family members and friends, spent the days after Brown’s disappearance combing through streets looking for clues on her whereabouts. Though they weren’t successful in finding her, Rivera said her family never gave up hope.

“We were just focused on finding Linda and bringing her home safely, so we kept that as our motivation the whole time,” Rivera said.

After police confirmed they had found Brown’s body, Rivera said her family was "devastated," but they were grateful to have gotten answers about her disappearance.

“It wasn't the outcome that we had wanted, that we were praying and hoping for, but at least now we are able to bring her home,” Rivera said.

Brown's husband, Antwon Brown, was "beside himself" after hearing news of her passing. "He just lost the love of his life," Rivera said.

Rivera said Brown struggled with her mental health and was open about experiencing panic attacks in the days leading up to her disappearance. Rivera said Brown had sought treatment and was receiving help.

Despite those struggles, Rivera said Brown was often smiling, laughing and looking out for others.

“She had this incredible laugh, just a really loud, crazy laugh that we all loved so much,” Rivera said.

Brown was an avid puzzler and loved being out in nature, Rivera said. The family would take a vacation to Michigan every year, where they would spend time swimming, going on walks and putting together puzzles.

But Brown’s true passion was teaching, according to Rivera, who said the family has received an outpouring of support from Brown’s colleagues and former students.

“She was someone who really cared about other people, who would bend over backward and give the shirt off her back to someone in need, especially for children,” Rivera said.

Erin Kamradt, principal at Healy Elementary, notified the school of Brown’s passing on Monday.

“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,” Kamradt said in a statement.

Kamradt said the school was working with the Chicago Public Schools Crisis Management Unit to provide grief counseling and support to students and staff members. She said the school’s mental health professionals would also be available for students who need ongoing services.

Rivera said the family was still working on arranging funeral services.

Area 1 detectives continue to investigate her death.