The brother of NFL star Calais Campbell has been charged with murder after their mother was found dead inside her Atlanta home, according to authorities.
Nateal Campbell, 71, was discovered unresponsive Tuesday afternoon during a welfare check at her townhouse in Buckhead, an upscale Atlanta neighborhood, WSB-TV reported.
She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Relatives had grown worried and called police to the home on the 3500 block of Roswell Road NW shortly after 12:30 p.m., Atlanta police officials said.
“We are devastated to share that the Campbell Family has lost its matriarch, Mrs. Nateal Campbell,” the family said, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport.
“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.”
When officers arrived, they learned a man had barricaded himself inside the home, police said.
Officers entered the townhouse and detained him.
The suspect was later identified as Ciarre Campbell, 41, Calais Campbell’s older brother and a former football player at Colorado State.
He was booked into the Fulton County Jail early Wednesday morning.
Jail records show he faces charges of murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm or knife during the commission of a felony.
Authorities have released only preliminary details about the suspected killing.
Tragic: Nateal Campbell, the mother of #Ravens DE Calais Campbell, was found dead inside her Atlanta home on Tuesday.
His brother, Ciarre Campbell, has since been charged with murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm or knife.
She was 71. Thoughts are with the… pic.twitter.com/h6Pv3EAyPb
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) July 1, 2026
Police have obtained search warrants for the Buckhead home, clothing and DNA, Ciarre Campbell’s defense attorney Jay Abt told WSB-TV.
Investigators said officers had previously been called to Nateal Campbell’s home over a possible mental health issue involving Ciarre Campbell.
“A brief look into the history does show some calls back in April dealing with this location a possible arson incident,” Lt. Christopher Butler told the outlet. “There have been some indications of possibly some mental health issues with an individual.”
It was not immediately clear whether Ciarre Campbell lived with his mother at the time of her death.
Calais Campbell with his Mom
The tragedy stunned the football world and the Campbell family, which has long been known for its close ties and charitable work.
Calais Campbell, a 2008 second-round draft pick out of the University of Miami, has been named to the Pro Bowl six times and ranks among the NFL’s active sack leaders.
He was named the 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year after founding the Charles Richard Campbell Foundation with his mother and seven siblings.
The foundation, named after his late father, works to strengthen communities by teaching critical life skills to young people.
Now, the same family that built a public legacy around service and faith is facing an unimaginable private loss.
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