Anthony Brown, an Arizona State University student, was described as an “extremely intelligent” young man with an endless capacity for love by his parents.
The 23-year-old’s body was discovered in Tempe Town Lake on March 21 morning.
“He was a wonderful human being,” his mother Melody Brown remarked, her voice full of passion.
Tempe police said they found no signs of trauma or foul play. The Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office has yet to share information on how Anthony Brown died.
He was fully dressed and had his keys with him, according to information posted on Facebook by Anthony Brown’s brother, Charlie.
Anthony Brown’s death came as a shock to many individuals who knew him, and several of them expressed their grief on social media. On March 22, about 100 people paid their condolences to him in a Facebook post.
In an interview with The Arizona Republic, Anthony Brown’s Michigan parents, Jeremee and Melody Brown, claimed their oldest son was enjoying life to the fullest and preparing for a future in human services.
“He loved everyone,” Jeremee Brown explained. “He was what this country and this world need.”
Anthony Brown grew up with two siblings and moved frequently due to their father’s military service. Anthony Brown, a studious, religious youth who “believed what Jesus taught,” pleased everyone he encountered and made friends all over the country while his parents relocated.
He had completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Mississippi with an “almost full-ride scholarship” and was now in his second year of an ASU master’s program in neuroscience and audiology.
According to Jeremee Brown, his purpose was to help autistic youngsters. He also works at the Pat Tillman Veterans Center.
“I’m a better person today because of Anthony, because of his love for people and his gentleness and kindness,” Jeremee Brown told me.