The mother of Baltimore Ravens defensive lineman Calais Campbell was found dead inside her Atlanta home.
Nateal Campbell, 71, was pronounced dead inside her townhouse in the Buckhead neighborhood when police found her unresponsive during a welfare check on Tuesday.
Campbell’s brother has been charged with murder.
“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,” the statement continued.
A statement from the family of Calais Campbell:
“We are devastated to share that the Campbell Family has lost its matriarch, Mrs. Nateal Campbell. While the details of her passing are still being investigated, we take comfort in knowing she is reunited with our father, her…
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 1, 2026
ESPN shared further:
Arrest warrants say Nateal Campbell’s throat was cut and Ciarre Campbell, Calais Campbell’s brother, was found in possession of a knife. Officers found her unresponsive when they arrived at around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, according to a police statement.
Ciarre Campbell, 41, was booked into the Fulton County Jail, where he was being held without bond, and waived his initial court hearing Wednesday on charges including aggravated assault and murder. A lawyer listed for him in online court records did not immediately return an email and voicemail seeking comment on the charges.
In a 911 call released by police, an unidentified man can be heard asking for a wellness check. He tells the dispatcher that he is outside his mother’s house with his brother and sister-in-law and that they’re trying to get inside. He said they can see another brother, who is “mentally ill” and lives with their mother, inside the home. He said the brother inside said their mother left but a neighbor’s camera footage shows she didn’t.
Calais Campbell, 39, is a six-time Pro Bowler and on the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team.
He also won the ‘Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year’ award in 2019.
Campbell has played for the Arizona Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens, Atlanta Falcons, and Miami Dolphins.
“At this time of unfathomable tragedy, our hearts are with Calais Campbell and his family. We hope they find strength and comfort in the love, prayers, and support that surround them now and in the days ahead,” the Arizona Cardinals stated.
At this time of unfathomable tragedy, our hearts are with Calais Campbell and his family. We hope they find strength and comfort in the love, prayers, and support that surround them now and in the days ahead. pic.twitter.com/sB5vXWFZQZ
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) July 1, 2026
More from the New York Post:
Officers had previously been called to Nateal Campbell’s home for a possible mental health issue with Ciarre Campbell.
ADVERTISEMENT“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 if Ciarre Campbell lived with his mother at the time of the alleged murder.
Calais Campbell, a 2008 second-round draft pick out of the University of Miami, was named to the Pro Bowl six times and ranks third for most sacks by an active NFL player.
