Chicago woman vanishes after a night watching movies. Then her car is discovered, and the internet thinks it’s solved the case

Online speculation has exploded around the disappearance of 53-year-old Chicago Public Schools teacher Linda Brown, including accusations that her husband, Antwon Brown, is involved, even though law enforcement has not named anyone a suspect in the case.

Brown, a special education teacher at Robert Healy Elementary School, was reported missing after she failed to show up for a scheduled appointment on January 3, 2026. According to the Chicago Police Department, she was last seen on Saturday morning in the 4500 block of South Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in the Bronzeville neighborhood and was believed to be heading to an acupuncture appointment in the Wicker Park area, according to NBC Chicago.

Brown’s blue Honda Civic, Illinois license plate CX57470, was later found by family members, though police have not publicly disclosed where it was recovered or released additional details.

Antwon Brown’s account

Brown’s husband, Antwon Brown, told reporters that the last time he saw his wife was on Friday night, January 2, when the couple “watched a movie together” at their Bronzeville home and went to bed. He said that when he woke up Saturday morning, “it was like 8:35 a.m., and she was gone.” Antwon initially thought Brown had left for her weekly acupuncture appointment, but grew worried when she did not arrive and could not be reached by phone. In interviews with local outlets, he said, “I’m out of options” and that he did not know what to do next.

Antwon also shared that Brown “has a little mental issues going on” and had taken time away from her classroom to address her health, though she was expected to return to teaching the Monday after her disappearance. Authorities have noted that Brown may require medical attention as part of their public appeal for information.

Online sleuths jump to conclusions

As the investigation continues, social media users have offered theories about Brown’s disappearance — some of which focus on her husband. Comments include, “Linda Brown husband is lying” and accusations that “Her husband definitely did that s—t. Idk what he did but he did it.” Another post said, “The Linda Brown story …. That husband might’ve did it. Why I watched the interview and he was referring to her in past tense? Hmmmm.” Law enforcement has not indicated that Antwon is a suspect or that he is under investigation for any crime related to his wife’s disappearance.

The danger of online theories

Online accusations can escalate rapidly, especially in emotionally charged cases involving missing women. High-profile examples like the 2018 Chris Watts case, in which a husband was ultimately convicted of killing his family, often resurface in unrelated cases and fuel public assumptions long before evidence is available.

However, in Brown’s case, Chicago police have not released any information tying a spouse or family member to wrongdoing. Official bulletins and news outlets continue to describe her disappearance as an active missing-person investigation, not a crime.

Police and family members urge anyone with information about Brown’s whereabouts to contact the Chicago Police Department’s Area One Special Victims Unit at 312-747-8380. Flyers have been circulated in the city as authorities continue their search efforts. Brown is described as 5 feet tall, weighing approximately 130 pounds, with brown hair, brown eyes, and a fair complexion.