Report: FBI Probes Dele Disappearance

Authorities Reportedly Believe Brother Is In Mexico

CHICAGO -- A report in Thursday's Chicago Tribune said the FBI is looking for the older brother of Bison Dele, a retired NBA player who played for the Chicago Bulls under the name Brian Williams in 1997.

The report said Kevin Williams was questioned by Phoenix police last week, according to family members, after he allegedly tried to pose as his missing brother and buy $150,000 in gold coins.

The Williams brothers' mother, Patricia Phillips, told the newspaper that Kevin called her Tuesday and Wednesday, telling her he didn't want to go to prison and that he wanted her to believe his story.

"I need to know that you love me before I die," Kevin told his mother, according to a quote in the article.

Phillips told the newspaper that authorities told her Kevin Williams may have fled to Mexico. Philips also said she had received an e-mail from Dele months ago, informing her that Kevin would return to the U.S. in early July. Dele has not been heard from since July 8, when he vanished, along with his girlfriend and one crew member who was sailing with them from Tahiti to Hawaii.

The U.S. Coast Guard said it was nearly impossible to carry out a search for their missing catamaran because Dele had not filed detailed travel plans.

Williams resided in Palo Alto, Calif., before his disappearance, and the FBI office in San Francisco is heading up the investigation.

Kevin Williams was arrested, according to the newspaper report, after arriving at a Phoenix bank and allegedly identifying himself as his brother. Police questioned him but later released him because, they said, there was not enough evidence to press charges.

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