Meet Ex-NFL Star Ralph Brown; Who Went Missing in 2019 After Being Unable to Pay Child Support Following Divorce

The mysterious disappearance of ex-NFL player Ralph Brown, who vanished in 2019 after failing to pay child support to his ex-wife Amanza Smith, left his family and the public searching for answers.

Dev
Written by Dev , Writer
Published on Jul 11, 2024 | 09:02 PM IST | 125.4K
The disappearance of ex-NFL player Ralph Brown, who vanished after failing to pay child support to his ex-wife Amanza Smith
Ralph Brown and Amanz Smith (Getty Images)

Ralph Brown was once a promising NFL cornerback, drafted by the New York Giants in 2000. He went on to play for several teams, including the Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns, and Arizona Cardinals, over the course of his 10-year career. However, his professional success was not mirrored in his personal life.

Ralph Brown’s divorce from Amanza Smith and financial troubles

In 2010, Brown married Amanza Smith, and the couple had two children together - a daughter named Noah and a son named Braker. However, the marriage was short-lived, and they divorced just two years later in 2012. 

After the divorce, Brown's financial troubles began to mount. According to court documents, he stated that his "finances were disappearing so fast, food was scarce, [his] physical body was worn out and [he] couldn't catch up to the days." He was forced to leave his apartment and sleep in his car, and he eventually stopped paying child support to Amanza.

Ralph Brown’s mysterious disappearance

In August 2019, just a week after dropping his children off at school, Brown suddenly went missing. Amanza received a cryptic email from him, in which he said, "My situation isn't good right now. I can't financially take care of the children. It's not safe for them to be with me. You need to keep them until my situation changes." This was the last time Amanza heard from her ex-husband.

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Amanza has been searching tirelessly for Brown ever since his disappearance. She has reached out to his family members, but they have all blocked her and cut off contact. "His whole family's withdrawal is very suspicious," Amanza said.

In 2021, Amanza was granted full custody of their children, as Brown's whereabouts remained unknown. She has also hired a private investigator to try and locate him, but so far, all efforts have been unsuccessful.

The circumstances surrounding Brown's disappearance have led to a lot of speculation and theories. Some believe he may have been involved with "shady people" due to his financial troubles, while others think he may have simply wanted to avoid his responsibilities as a father.

Amanza, however, believes that Brown is still alive somewhere. "He's alive somewhere because otherwise we would know. There are so many people actively trying and there's just no answer," she said.

The disappearance of Ralph Brown has had a devastating impact on his family, especially his children. Amanza has described the situation as "heartbreaking" and "devastating" for her and the kids.

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"The children are apparently 'devastated' by their father's disappearance and only want to be reunited with him," the report states.

The mystery surrounding Ralph Brown's disappearance continues to captivate the public, as his ex-wife Amanza Smith and their children struggle to cope with the uncertainty and heartbreak of his absence. While the search for answers continues, the case serves as a poignant reminder of the personal struggles that can arise from the intersection of professional success and personal turmoil.

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About The Author
Dev
Dev
Writer

Devang Watkar aka Dev is a print and broadcast journalist with a relentless passion for storytelling. Known for a

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