Neurologic sequelae can be devastating complications of respiratory viral infections. We report the presence of virus in neural and capillary endothelial cells in frontal lobe tissue obtained at postmortem examination from a patient infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2). Our observations of virus in neural tissue, in conjunction with clinical correlates of worsening neurologic symptoms, pave the way to a closer understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms underlying central nervous system involvement by SARS‐CoV‐2. Highlights The clinical spectrum of COVID-19 has expanded to include neurologic manifestations such as anosmia, ageusia, ataxia and seizures, suggesting that SARS-CoV-2 may also be neurotropic. Ultrastructural analysis of tissue from this case revealed the presence of viral-like particles in brain and capillary endothelium, which was further confirmed by molecular testing for SARS-CoV-2. This case provides first evidence for the potential direct propagation and presence of SARS-CoV-2 in human brain tissue. These findings have direct implications for neurologic clinical practice and should raise awareness amongst physicians managing SARS-CoV-2-infected patients with CNS symptoms.