Nateal Campbell, the 71-year-old mother of Baltimore Ravens defensive lineman Calais Campbell, was found dead at her Atlanta home on Tuesday, and her son Ciarre Campbell has been charged with murder, according to arrest warrants and police statements.
Welfare check leads to discovery
Police arrived at the home around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday after receiving a request for a welfare check. Officers found Nateal Campbell unresponsive with her throat cut, according to a police statement. Arrest warrants state that Ciarre Campbell was found in possession of a knife at the scene.
Ciarre Campbell was booked into the Fulton County Jail and had an initial court hearing scheduled for Wednesday morning on charges including aggravated assault and murder. No lawyer who could comment on the charges was listed in online court records.
Family statement expresses grief
The Campbell family released a statement asking for privacy while they cope with what they described as “overwhelming grief.” The statement read: “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 beloved Chuck, and in the arms of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
Calais Campbell’s NFL career
Calais Campbell, a defensive lineman for the Baltimore Ravens, is entering his 19th NFL season after signing a one-year, $5.5 million contract in April. The 39-year-old former Miami Hurricane was a first-team AP All-Pro selection in 2017 and has been voted to the Pro Bowl six times. He began his career as a second-round pick in 2008 with the Arizona Cardinals, where he spent 10 seasons, and also played for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Atlanta Falcons, and Miami Dolphins. In 278 games (259 starts), Campbell has recorded 117 career sacks.
