From your description it sounds like maybe the inner wire snapped at or near the head, or possibly a poorly seated cable head popped out (more likely on older model brake levers with a key slot for the cable head).
Step one, close the squeeze the brake lever and look inside to see if the wire stretches from the body out to the end of the lever. If not, pull the housing away from the brake arm. If it comes loose that confirms a broken cable. If it comes loose but stops about an inch or so out then it's more likely that the cable head popped out.
BTW - Break is what happens to your bones in a crash. Brakes are the devices you use to prevent breaks
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