Brother of Ravens star Ed Reed found dead in Mississippi River, Louisiana officials say

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LULING, La. -- A body recovered late Tuesday from the Mississippi River has been tentatively identified as the brother of Baltimore Ravens’ star safety Ed Reed, authorities say.

As members of the Reed family looked on Wednesday, St. Charles Parish Sheriff Greg Champagne said tattoos on the body match those belonging to Brian Reed. More tests are planned.

Ed Reed, who attended the news conference, said his brother was driving another brother’s car on Jan. 7 and was suffering mental issues that day.

The family reported the car as being driven without authorization. A deputy later spotted a parked car that matched the description provided by Reed family members on Jan. 7.

Deputies then approached a man believed to be Brian Reed, and told him to put his hands behind his back. At that point, he ran away and apparently jumped into the river about 30 miles northwest of New Orleans, authorities said.

Karen Reed, the mother of Ed and Brian Reed, said investigators found her son’s shoes and jacket, but there was no sign of him until earlier this week.

The body was first spotted Sunday, but recovery teams were impeded by unfavorable river conditions.

-- Associated Press