The body of a missing Pennsylvania mother was found in a shallow grave less than two miles from her home more than two weeks after she was reported missing.
Jennifer Brown was discovered Wednesday night partially buried under a stairway behind a warehouse in Royersford — about 30 miles outside of Philadelphia.
Brown, 43, was reported missing after failing to pick up her son Noah, 8, from the bus stop on January 3. Relatives said she never left him on purpose.
According to Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele, her body was found wrapped in plastic, ending the extensive search. The cause of death was not determined.
“We hoped and prayed that she would be safe and she is not,” Steele said.
Jennifer Brown, 43, was found buried behind a warehouse on Wednesday. Brown was reported missing more than two weeks ago, leaving her son behind
Her body was discovered partially buried under a staircase behind a warehouse in Royersford — about 30 miles outside of Philadelphia
Authorities have not identified any suspects in the case or made any arrests.
Neighbors say Brown was spotted outside her home on Stratford Lane with friend and collaborator Antonio Watts-Richardson on the day she went missing and noticed nothing out of the ordinary.
Watts-Richardson said he was with Brown the day she disappeared. He reiterated that it was unlike Brown to leave her son, who was always by her side.
When Brown was unable to pick up Noah, Watts-Richardson took him home to sleep over.
“I put Noah on the bus the next day,” he told NBC10.
Brown, who has been described as a “helicopter mom,” never called to check in. She also had a 20-year-old son.
Watts-Richardson debunked theories that he may have been involved in her disappearance and claimed the two had a plan to open a restaurant.
“I have nothing to do with anything,” he told the news outlet. ‘Just because I’m the last person to see her doesn’t mean anything.’
He continued, “It seems like I’m the one getting stabbed. And it’s frustrating because I’m the first person who called the police and tried to smash windows. I’m trying to find my friend. Trying to make sure her son is covered.”
Friends said it was out of character for Brown to leave without her son, who was always by her side
Neighbors say Brown was spotted outside her home on Stratford Lane with friend and collaborator Antonio Watts-Richardson on the day she went missing and noticed nothing out of the ordinary
Antonio Watts-Richardson refuted claims he had anything to do with it
When investigators arrived at Brown’s home earlier this month, they found her vehicle parked outside with her keys, wallet, purse and work cell phone still inside.
Brown’s personal cell phone was nowhere to be found and is still missing. It has not been used since her disappearance.
The victim’s family offered a $10,000 reward for any information leading to her being found, but it’s unclear if it was awarded.
Family members mourned her on social media on Wednesday when the search was called off.
“I am saddened to share the news that Jennifer Brown was found dead tonight. Our hearts are broken,” wrote Holly Baird, Brown’s cousin.
“Thank you all for your support over the past few weeks. No one could ever be sufficiently prepared for this news.’
Loved one first set up a GoFundMe to find Brown, who has received about $7,000 in donations.
Now the family said the donations will be used to support Brown’s son.
When investigators arrived at Brown’s home earlier this month, they found her vehicle parked outside with her keys, wallet, purse and work cell phone still inside
As the search abates, neighbors fear a killer is on the loose and might strike again.
“We’ve been nervous for the whole two weeks to make sure we’re not going outside alone – we’re really safe with that,” Grace Taylor told CBS.
‘The person is still out here.’