Authorities arrest Michael Brown at mother’s home after 2+ week manhunt

Brown’s attorney said claims of abuse by Rodney Brown are true

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Va. – US Marshals say Marine Michael Brown was arrested early Wednesday morning in Franklin County, after a manhunt spanning more than two weeks. According to NCIS, he was arrested without incident.

Authorities say Brown was arrested by multiple agencies at 8 a.m. Wednesday at his mother’s home in Franklin County, where the alleged murder took place. Police had searched that location numerous times since the manhunt began.

When authorities took him into custody, they say no one else was home at the time and that Brown appeared to be “fine.”

Brown was interviewed by investigators at the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.

When asked if Brown was helped by anyone during the 19-day manhunt, authorities say that is still under investigation.

Authorities say the federal charge against Brown will be dismissed and he will stay in Franklin County, where he will be charged for the alleged murder.

“I am grateful that he is safe in custody and unharmed, and that law enforcement can now take a deserved break," said Deborah Caldwell-Bono, Brown’s attorney.

The Marines released a statement on Brown’s arrest, saying, “The Marine Corps and 2nd Marine Logistics Group do not tolerate any actions inconsistent with our core values.”

Read the full statement from the Marines here.

On Nov. 9, Brown allegedly shot and killed his mother’s boyfriend, Rodney Brown, in Franklin County. According to neighbors who spoke to 10 News, Michael believed Rodney was his father until recently. Multiple public records list Rodney Brown as Michael’s father. Caldwell-Bono told NBC News there was both mental and physical abuse in the home at the hands of Rodney Brown and that Rodney Brown had made Michael Brown sleep in the woods as a teenager.

Prior to that, Brown deserted his post at Camp Lejeune in mid-October, where he served as a combat engineer with the Marines.

The search for Brown lasted for more than two weeks and spanned numerous states and localities. That includes South Carolina, where authorities found a car they believe he was towing with an RV. That RV was later found in Roanoke, forcing all city schools and several businesses to shutdown.

Local, state and federal authorities descended on the Star City as the manhunt ensued. During the search, they raided Brown’s grandmother’s house on Tillett Road and investigated tips as they were called in.

The RV found in Roanoke’s Grandin Village was the last piece of concrete evidence in the search for Brown until his arrest, but US Marshals say they received hundreds of tips.


About the Authors:

Irisha joined the WSLS news team in January 2017 after spending four years as a reporter in Georgia.