A beloved mother, grandmother, and sister, Canaa Chaney Brown was known to her family as “the glue” who held everyone together. The 40-year-old was a lifelong resident of Hartford and Middletown, Connecticut, who was cherished for her warmth, wisdom, and friendly spirit. Canaa worked as an HR Benefits Specialist with Talcott Financial Group, building her professional career while dedicating herself to her two children, Milan and Kanaan, and her adored grandson, Kyro.
Her family remembered a peaceful woman who loved cooking and making her house feel like a home. She had an impeccable sense of style and was a woman of deep faith and prayer. A passionate reader, she was a member of the "Book Club Baddies" and also focused on health and wellness as a member of local gyms.
Canaa was in the process of starting a new chapter in her life and had begun packing her belongings to move out of the apartment she shared with her husband, Barrington Oneil Brown Jr. In the days leading up to her death, she feared she was being stalked and had considered seeking a restraining order. According to investigators, her husband had allegedly placed a GPS tracking device on her car. Four days before she was killed, a caller reported to police that Brown had threatened her, saying, "If he couldn't have her and their kids, then no one could, and that he couldn't live without her." In the early morning hours of September 29, 2026, Canaa was at the Mohegan Sun casino with her boyfriend when she reportedly saw Brown at the hotel and appeared to be in fear.
Later that day, on the afternoon of September 29, 2026, Canaa’s sister went to the Northwoods Apartments on Town Colony Drive in Middletown’s West Lake section, concerned for her safety. Inside, she found Canaa unresponsive next to an open suitcase. Police were called to the residence at approximately 3:23 p.m. for a report of a suspicious death. They discovered Canaa Chaney Brown deceased from a gunshot wound and other injuries. Investigators alleged she had been shot in the head.
The Middletown Police Department’s Investigative Services Division quickly identified Barrington Oneil Brown Jr., 43, as the suspect. Detectives tracked him throughout the evening and issued a statewide alert for his black Subaru Outback. Around 10:48 p.m., an automated license plate reader detected the vehicle in West Hartford near New Park Avenue. When officers attempted to stop the car, Brown allegedly sped away, leading police on a chase into Hartford. Officers used tire-deflation devices, but the pursuit continued. Authorities stated that during the chase, Brown opened his driver's door and fired three shots at a West Hartford officer, who returned fire.
The Subaru was eventually abandoned on Flatbush Avenue in Hartford, and Brown fled on foot. He then allegedly tried to carjack a running Acura occupied by a 17-year-old and a 19-year-old, pointing a handgun at them. During the confrontation, the 17-year-old suffered a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. As Brown attempted to flee in the Acura, three West Hartford officers fired at him, striking him in the shoulder. He then surrendered and was taken to a hospital for his non-life-threatening injuries before being taken into custody by Middletown Police. A handgun was recovered at the scene.
Barrington Oneil Brown Jr. was arraigned on September 30, 2026, on charges of murder, second-degree stalking, and unlawful discharge of a firearm. His bond was set at $3 million. Court records revealed a history of domestic-violence-related cases and four protective or no-contact orders issued against him between 2004 and 2018. The officer-involved shooting is the subject of a separate investigation by the Connecticut Office of the Inspector General.
Canaa’s death left her family and community heartbroken. Friends remembered her as a childhood best friend and a beautiful person. Her family held a visitation and funeral service on October 23, 2026, requesting that attendees wear white and purple in her honor, and to refrain from dark colors. As of October 2026, the criminal case against Barrington Brown was proceeding through the court system. Anyone with information about the Middletown homicide is asked to contact the Middletown Police Major Investigations Unit at 860-638-4140.
