Brown died in Warrenton , Virginia on August 15 , 2002 , of lower motor neuron syndrome . He had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ( ALS ) , commonly known as Lou Gehrig 's Disease , since 1999 .
Brown died in Warrenton , Virginia on August 15 , 2002 of lower motor neuron syndrome -- being diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis , commonly known as `` Lou Gehrig 's Disease '' , since 1999 .