Tyna Karageorge (earlier known as Tyna Robertson) is a private person who came into the public eye because of her past relationship with former NFL star Brian Urlacher and the legal issues that followed. Her story includes being a mother, a short marriage, a family tragedy, and hard court battles about child custody and reputation. In this article, we explain the main events in clear, simple words so you can understand what happened and why people still search for her name.
Personl Information
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Tyna Marie Karageorge (formerly Tyna Robertson) |
| Known for | Mother of Brian Urlacher’s son; later legal disputes with Urlacher |
| Child | One son with Brian Urlacher, born in 2005 (named in news as Kennedy) |
| Marital status | Married Ryan Karageorge in September 2016; he died in December 2016 |
| Residence noted in news | Willow Springs, Illinois (during 2016–2017 events) |
| Key legal matters | 2017 custody fight; 2018 defamation lawsuit against Urlacher; 2019 federal order sanctioning her regarding claims against a court-reporter defendant |
Early life and privacy
Very little verified public information is available about Tyna’s early life, education, or work. Most news coverage focuses on her relationship with Brian Urlacher, their son, her later marriage to Ryan Karageorge, and the legal issues that followed. Because reliable sources do not give many personal details, it is fair to say she has kept a low profile outside of the court cases and news reports.
Relationship with Brian Urlacher and their son
Tyna and Brian Urlacher had a son together in 2005. News outlets covering the later custody dispute identify Tyna (then known as Tyna Robertson) as the boy’s mother. Their relationship did not last, but the two parents shared legal ties through their child, which later became the center of court arguments.
Marriage to Ryan Karageorge and a family tragedy
In September 2016, Tyna married Ryan Karageorge. Only a few months later, on December 29, 2016, Ryan died from a gunshot wound at the home in Willow Springs, Illinois. Local reports note the date and place of death, and obituary records confirm the date. Later coverage stated that the Cook County Medical Examiner ruled the death a suicide. These details became important in later court filings and media stories.
Tyna spoke publicly in early 2017, saying she had nothing to do with her husband’s death and asking the court to let her son come back to live with her. A local TV interview from February 2017 shows her plea during the custody fight.
Emergency custody and the 2017 court fight
After Ryan’s death, Brian Urlacher filed an emergency motion for temporary custody of their son, citing safety concerns and what he called “suspicious circumstances.” A Cook County judge granted temporary custody to Urlacher in January 2017, and the boy went to live with his father.
Tyna continued to contest the situation in court during 2017. The custody issue remained active, with more hearings and public comments from both sides. These events kept her name in the Chicago news cycle for much of that year.
The 2018 defamation lawsuit
In January 2018, Tyna filed a defamation lawsuit seeking $125 million. In that suit, she alleged that Urlacher, his lawyers, and a newspaper reporter worked to make her look like a killer and an unfit mother in order to influence the outcome of the custody case. It is important to note these were allegations made by Tyna in her lawsuit; a lawsuit filing is not a court finding of fact.
What happened next in federal court (2019 order)
A federal case connected to these disputes, Karageorge v. Urlacher et al., shows that by September 2019, a judge issued an order sanctioning Tyna $8,500 over her claims against one defendant (a court reporter) in that case. The order explained that her allegations against that defendant were not supported, and it dismissed those claims. This order did not decide every issue between Tyna and all other defendants on the merits of the defamation claims; rather, it addressed specific claims and conduct within that federal case record. Still, it shows how difficult and complex the litigation became.
Why her story drew attention
Tyna’s story gained attention for several reasons:
- Connection to a famous athlete. Any legal fight involving an NFL star like Brian Urlacher draws public interest.
- A sudden tragedy. Ryan Karageorge’s death at home in late 2016, later reported as a suicide by media citing the medical examiner, created intense scrutiny and questions.
- A fast change in custody. Urlacher’s successful emergency motion moved the child to Arizona quickly, which led to emotional reactions and more hearings.
- A very large lawsuit. A $125 million defamation suit is rare and newsworthy. Coverage focused on what Tyna claimed and how the defendants responded in court.
What we can and cannot say with confidence
- We can say with confidence that Tyna (formerly Robertson) is the mother of Urlacher’s son, that she married Ryan in September 2016, and that Ryan died on December 29, 2016 in Willow Springs.
- We can say that Urlacher received temporary custody in January 2017 after filing an emergency motion.
- We can say that Tyna filed a $125 million defamation suit in January 2018 and alleged that Urlacher and others harmed her reputation.
- We should not present unverified personal details (like education or job history) without trustworthy sources. Also, we should avoid stating that anyone committed a crime unless a court or official report confirms it. The sources above do not show a criminal charge against Tyna for Ryan’s death; in coverage cited by local media, the death was reported as a suicide.
Timeline of key events
- 2005: Tyna (then Robertson) and Brian Urlacher have a son.
- September 2016: Tyna marries Ryan Karageorge.
- December 29, 2016: Ryan dies from a gunshot wound at home in Willow Springs. Obituaries and later reports mark the date; media later reported the death as a suicide.
- January 2017: Urlacher wins temporary custody of the boy after an emergency petition.
- February–April 2017: Ongoing custody hearings and public statements from both sides.
- January 2018: Tyna files a $125 million defamation lawsuit against Urlacher and others.
- September 2019: In a related federal case, the judge sanctions Tyna $8,500 regarding claims against a court reporter; the order explains why those specific claims failed.
Where things stand
Public reporting after 2019 focuses less on detailed updates from Tyna herself. What remains clear is that her name appears when people talk about Brian Urlacher’s family life, the 2016 tragedy, and the long legal process that followed. Because she is a private person and not a public official or entertainer, high-quality sources about her are limited to court records and local news coverage, which this article relies on.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Is Tyna Karageorge the same person as Tyna Robertson?
Yes. Court documents identify her as “formerly known as Tyna Robertson.” - How is she connected to Brian Urlacher?
She is the mother of Urlacher’s son, born in 2005. - Who was Ryan Karageorge, and what happened to him?
He was Tyna’s husband. He died on December 29, 2016 in Willow Springs, Illinois; later coverage said the medical examiner ruled it a suicide. - Did Brian Urlacher get custody of the boy?
In January 2017, Urlacher received temporary custody after filing an emergency petition. - What was the $125 million lawsuit about?
In January 2018, Tyna filed a defamation lawsuit claiming Urlacher and others harmed her reputation. These were allegations in her filing, not proven facts. - Did the court make findings against all defendants?
A 2019 federal order sanctioned Tyna $8,500 regarding claims against a court reporter, stating those claims lacked support. That order did not resolve every issue against all parties on the merits of defamation. - Where did these events take place?
Key events happened in the Chicago area, including Willow Springs and the Cook County courts. - Is there confirmed information about Tyna’s job or education?
Reliable sources do not provide clear details. Most verified coverage focuses on the family and legal matters. - Why did the custody change so quickly in 2017?
Urlacher filed an emergency motion after Ryan’s death, and a judge granted temporary custody shortly after. - Why are sources limited?
Tyna is a private individual. Accurate information mainly comes from court records and local news reporting on specific events.
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