Mother of NFL star Calais Campbell found dead inside Atlanta home, his brother charged with murder

The brother of Baltimore Ravens star Calais Campbell was charged with murder after their mother was found dead inside her Atlanta home.

Nateal Campbell, 71, was pronounced dead inside her townhouse in the upscale neighborhood of Buckhead, Ga., when police found her unresponsive during a welfare check on Tuesday afternoon, according to WSB-TV.

“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.”

Relatives were worried about the septuagenarian and called for officers to the house on the 3500 block of Roswell Rd NW just after 12:30 p.m., Atlanta Police officials said.

Police learned a male had barricaded himself inside the home shortly after they arrived, forcing officers to enter the house and detain the individual, who police did not name.

Ciarre Campbell was later identified as the suspect who was taken into police custody.

The 41-year-old, a former football player at Colorado State and the older brother of the NFL journeyman, was arrested and booked into Fulton County Jail Wednesday morning.

He faces charges of murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm or knife during commission of a felony, according to jail records viewed by The Post.

Officials have only released preliminary details into the suspected murder.

Police have obtained search warrants for the Buckhead home, clothing and DNA, Ciarre Campbell’s defense attorney Jay Abt told WSB-TV.

Officers had previously been called to Nateal Campbell’s home for a possible mental health issue with 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 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.

He was named the 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year for founding the Charles Richard Campbell Foundation alongside his mother and seven siblings.

The foundation, named after his late father, enhances the community through the teaching of critical life skills to young people.