Baltimore Ravens veteran Calais Campbell is speaking out for the first time since his brother, Ciarre, allegedly killed their mother, Nateal, in June.
“These past couple months have been pretty tough for me and my family,” Calais, 39, told reporters while attending Ravens training camp on Tuesday, August 18. “We’re working through it. I really appreciate all the love and support and prayers that have been coming from all over the NFL community, all the fanbases and you guys, as well.”
Ciarre, 41, was booked in Fulton County, Georgia, on Wednesday, July 1, on several charges including murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm or knife.
The body of Calais and Ciarre’s mother was found dead inside a Buckhead townhome on Tuesday, June 30. She was 71.
Authorities discovered that Ciarre had “barricaded himself inside the home” before he was successfully taken into custody.
In a 911 call from the day Nateal was killed obtained by TMZ Sports, Calais told a 911 dispatcher that his brother is “mentally ill” and “diagnosed with schizophrenia.”
Calais asked for police to perform a welfare check on his mother, leading to the eventual discovery of her deceased body. Local outlet WHSV reported that Nateal was found with several cuts to her neck.
“This morning, he drove in her car, which is very unusual,” Calais said on the call. “He doesn’t drive at all…we can’t get in her house. I just tried to jump the window and he’s in there and she says she left, but the camera footage that my neighbor has showed she never left. We’re just trying to get in there.”
Ciarre’s attorney, Jay Abt, claimed his client was innocent shortly after he was taken into custody.
“We look forward to his day in court,” he told WSBTV. “I’m honored to defend him and, most importantly, the Campbell family, I’m asking on their behalf that the public respect their privacy at this time.”
The Campbell family issued a statement after Nateal’s death, but did not mention Ciarre being charged with her murder.
“We are devastated to share that the Campbell Family has lost its matriarch, Mrs. Nateal Campbell,” the statement said. “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.”
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