CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: Nick Brown, the brother of missing former NFL star Sergio Brown, is paying tributes to his late mother who was found dead on Saturday, September 16, near her house, per E! Online.

Sergio, who played for the New England Patriot football team, is missing, and search for the 35-year-old still continues.

Brown, who has been giving updates on the missing of his mother and brother, has written a heartfelt tribute for his mother Myrtle Brown, 73.

Myrtle recently celebrated her 73rd birthday on September 8 after returning from a trip to Aruba.

Thanking everyone for their love and support, the entrepreneur and AI artist Nick wrote on his Facebook on September 17, “It's a sad but hopeful time, and we will all get through this together.”

Recalling Myrtle’s words, he said, “Mom always told me, “tough times don’t last” and our last conversation about tough times being temporary is my beacon of hope.”

Nick further continued, “Mom, thank you for being strong, caring, diligent, fancy, funny, and for saving my art. I won’t let you down.”

He also gave an update on his missing brother saying, “My brother Sergio is still missing. If anyone knows where he is I want him to know that I love you and please come home.”

The artist urged people not to go near the property as “this is still an ongoing investigation by the Maywood Police Department.”

He added, “If you have any information on Sergio's whereabouts please send them to the Maywood Police Department.”

Earlier, on September 16, he shared another post informing his friends and followers about the missing of both Myrtle and Sergio.

When did Myrtle Brown go missing?

The Brown family was first alarmed by Myrtle’s missing on Saturday, September 16.

Nick posted an update on Facebook on the same day saying, “Folks my mom Myrtle Brown and brother Sergio Brown are missing, I’m not waiting another hour. Please share! If you see them or one of them please let me or the Maywood Police Office know!!”

Per the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office, Myrtle’s body was found from near her home.

The Maywood Police declared in a press release that she was discovered "unresponsive near a creek to the rear of her residence."

How did Myrtle Brown die?

Myrtle’s death has been investigated as a homicide due to the fact that she sustained multiple assault-related injuries.

Per The Sun, Myrtle’s sister Sheila Simmons said, "We’re going to find out what happened because it’s not normal for my sister to not answer her phone, not to respond to text messages.”

She added during her interview to WGN-TV, “People have been reaching out to her since Friday. No one was able to reach her."

“Now, I got the call this morning saying that she’s missing, so immediately I came out here and find out my sister is dead,” mourned Simmons.