PETERSBURG, Va. (WRIC) — Although over nine months have past, Petersburg mother Brenda Blackwell said she is not giving up on her fight to bring her daughter, 52-year-old Sherrell Brown, home.
“Horrible” is one of many painful words Blackwell used to describe these past nine months when 8News sat down with her on Monday, June 17. Despite overcoming several hurdles in her life, she said not knowing where her daughter is or what happened to her has been the hardest on her emotionally and physically.
“I have to be okay,” Blackwell said. “I have bad moments, I do. I’m not a crier, but I have been in incidents where I just break down.”
Sherrell Brown was last seen on her front porch the night of Sept. 1, 2023. Family members said that, when she walked away in the Petersburg neighborhood near Hanover and Patterson streets, she was never seen again.
52-year-old Sherrell Brown, who has been missing for nine months. (Photo: Rolynn Wilson/8News)
Blackwell said the first months following her daughter’s disappearance were extremely difficult.
“I was not eating, I was not sleeping,” she said. “It’s getting a little better. I wake up in the middle of the night sometimes and sweat.”
This week, on June 21, is Brown’s 53rd birthday. Instead of celebrating with her family, her loved ones are continuing their push to bring her home. Their latest effort includes offering a $5,000 reward and hosting a community gathering to bring attention to her disappearance.
Blackwell said her daughter’s health is a top concern for her, as she has suffered from seizures and is diabetic.
“I don’t think she would survive out here without any medication,” Blackwell said.
Over the past nine months, Blackwell has taken care of her daughter’s young grandchildren, who Brown is the legal guardian of. They are also wrapping their heads around what has happened to their mother figure.
“The six-year-old doesn’t understand it,” Blackwell said. “He just knows she’s not here — and he’ll come over here [and say,] ‘My mom been gone for a long time now. She supposed to be back home.’ And how do you respond to that?”
8News reached out to Petersburg Police to learn if there are any developments in this case and we have yet to hear back.
52-year-old Sherrell Brown, who has been missing for nine months. (Photo: Rolynn Wilson/8News)
“She grew up in Petersburg and she’s a very friendly person,” Blackwell said. “Somebody knows something.”
Blackwell said her family will be hosting a cookout at Farmers Street Park at 1 p.m. on Friday, June 22, to bring awareness and celebrate Brown’s birthday.
“I want to know where my daughter is — if she’s alive and, if she isn’t, who did something to her?” Blackwell said. “I’m not going to ever give up.”
PETERSBURG, Va. (WRIC) — Although over nine months have past, Petersburg mother Brenda Blackwell said she is not giving up on her fight to bring her daughter, 52-year-old Sherrell Brown, home.
“Horrible” is one of many painful words Blackwell used to describe these past nine months when 8News sat down with her on Monday, June 17. Despite overcoming several hurdles in her life, she said not knowing where her daughter is or what happened to her has been the hardest on her emotionally and physically.
“I have to be okay,” Blackwell said. “I have bad moments, I do. I’m not a crier, but I have been in incidents where I just break down.”
Sherrell Brown was last seen on her front porch the night of Sept. 1, 2023. Family members said that, when she walked away in the Petersburg neighborhood near Hanover and Patterson streets, she was never seen again.
52-year-old Sherrell Brown, who has been missing for nine months. (Photo: Rolynn Wilson/8News)
Blackwell said the first months following her daughter’s disappearance were extremely difficult.
“I was not eating, I was not sleeping,” she said. “It’s getting a little better. I wake up in the middle of the night sometimes and sweat.”
This week, on June 21, is Brown’s 53rd birthday. Instead of celebrating with her family, her loved ones are continuing their push to bring her home. Their latest effort includes offering a $5,000 reward and hosting a community gathering to bring attention to her disappearance.
Blackwell said her daughter’s health is a top concern for her, as she has suffered from seizures and is diabetic.
“I don’t think she would survive out here without any medication,” Blackwell said.
Over the past nine months, Blackwell has taken care of her daughter’s young grandchildren, who Brown is the legal guardian of. They are also wrapping their heads around what has happened to their mother figure.
“The six-year-old doesn’t understand it,” Blackwell said. “He just knows she’s not here — and he’ll come over here [and say,] ‘My mom been gone for a long time now. She supposed to be back home.’ And how do you respond to that?”
8News reached out to Petersburg Police to learn if there are any developments in this case and we have yet to hear back.
52-year-old Sherrell Brown, who has been missing for nine months. (Photo: Rolynn Wilson/8News)
“She grew up in Petersburg and she’s a very friendly person,” Blackwell said. “Somebody knows something.”
Blackwell said her family will be hosting a cookout at Farmers Street Park at 1 p.m. on Friday, June 22, to bring awareness and celebrate Brown’s birthday.
“I want to know where my daughter is — if she’s alive and, if she isn’t, who did something to her?” Blackwell said. “I’m not going to ever give up.”