ATLANTA — The brother of Baltimore Ravens defensive lineman Calais Campbell is facing murder charges after Atlanta police discovered their 71-year-old mother dead inside a home during a welfare check.
According to arrest warrants, Nateal Campbell died from a cut to her throat. When officers arrived at approximately 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, they found her unresponsive. Her son, Ciarre Campbell, was reportedly found at the scene in possession of a knife.
Ciarre Campbell was taken into custody and booked at the Fulton County Jail. He was scheduled for an initial court appearance Wednesday morning, facing charges that include aggravated assault and murder. As of the time of the report, no attorney representing him appeared in online court records.
The Campbell family released a public statement requesting privacy as they navigate what they described as “overwhelming grief.”
“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.”
Calais Campbell, 39, is a veteran NFL defensive lineman entering his 19th professional season with the Baltimore Ravens after agreeing to a one-year, $5.5 million contract this past April.
A standout in his field, Campbell earned first-team AP All-Pro honors in 2017 and has been selected to the Pro Bowl six times throughout his career. He was originally drafted in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals, where he spent 10 seasons. He has also suited up for teams in Jacksonville, Atlanta, and Miami, and is a former University of Miami player.
Over the course of 278 career games — including 259 starts — Campbell has recorded 117 sacks.
