The Chilling Murder Of Bill Cosby's Son Ennis (2024)

ByJennifer Deutschmann/April 11, 2022 12:29 pm EDT

Actor and comedian Bill Cosby married his wife, Camille Olivia Hanks, on January 25, 1964. As reported by Married Biography, the couple had five children. Their first daughter Erika was born in 1965, Erinn was born in 1966. Camille andBill Cosby's only son, Ennis, was born in 1969, followed by Ensa in 1973 and Evin in 1976.

Although three of their children are still alive and well, their daughter Ensa died of kidney disease in February 2018, and their son Ennis was murdered in January 1997. Although the loss of both children was devastating, Ennis' death was particularly distressing as he was seemingly killed without provocation and the shooter fled the scene and was not identified or arrested for several months.

According to theLos Angeles Times, Ennis Cosby inspired the role of Theo Huxtable on the hit sitcom "The Cosby Show." However, the Cosbys otherwise kept Ennis and his siblings out of the spotlight as much as possible.

Throughout his childhood, Ennis struggled with his schoolwork and had trouble maintaining his grades. However, The Cinemaholic, reports it was unclear what was causing Ennis' difficulties until he was diagnosed with dyslexia while pursuing his undergraduate degree.

After earning a bachelor's degree in psychology from Atlanta's Morehouse College, Ennis went on to earn a master's degree in special education and was pursuing his doctoral degree at New York's Columbia University at the time of his death. The Los Angeles Times reports Ennis was a thoughtful and caring man, who tutored the disadvantaged and homeless in his free time.

Ennis Cosby was murdered while changing his tire

In an interview with theLos Angeles Times, civil rights leader Andrew Young said Ennis Cosby "was a kid becoming a man, with everything in the world going for him ... I saw in him hope for all youth." Unfortunately, Ennis' life was cut short by what was later described as a botched robbery attempt.

In the early morning hours of January 16, 1997, Ennis was driving his mother's Mercedes SL Convertible along Interstate 405. As he traveled through the Sepulveda Pass, he got a flat tire and pulled over to the side of the road. According to OK Magazine, Ennis called his girlfriend, Stephanie Crane, and asked her to meet him where his car broke down.

As reported by OK Magazine, Stephanie Crane attempted to dissuade Ennis Cosby from changing his own tire, as she was concerned for his safety. According to reports, she asked Cosby to call a tow truck for assistance. However, Cosby was intent on changing the tire himself.

When Crane arrived, she parked behind Cosby while he worked on changing his tire. Shortly after she arrived, a man approached Crane's vehicle and threatened physical harm if she did not open her door.

OK Magazine reports Crane immediately began driving away to avoid a confrontation. However, as she pulled away, she was stunned to hear a gunshot. When she turned around and drove back to the scene, Crown found Cosby dead with a bullet wound to the head.

The National Enquirer offered a $100,000 reward

The Chilling Murder Of Bill Cosby's Son Ennis (3)

John Chapple/Getty Images

The killer took off and authorities were unable to make an immediate arrest. However, as reported by theLos Angeles Times, authorities did recover a handgun and a knit cap, which were determined to be linked to Ennis Cosby's murder.

Detectives eventually identified a man and a woman, who were persons of interest in the case. However, they were both questioned and ultimately released. Authorities finally got a break in the case when a $100,000 reward, which was funded by the National Enquirer, encouraged a witness to come forward.

AP News reports Christopher So told authorities 18-year-old Mikhail Markhasev had been bragging about shooting and killing Cosby in the days and weeks after the murder occurred. According to So, he also drove Markhasev and another man to search for the discarded weapon Markhasev used to commit the crime.

So said he came forward with the information because Markhasev "took somebody else's life, somebody's son." As he is also a father, So said he would want someone to come forward if his child was ever harmed.

According to History, Markhasev, who is a Ukrainian immigrant, was using a telephone in a park-and-ride lot when he spotted Cosby and his disabled car. Witnesses said Markhasev approached Cosby and asked him for money. However, Cosby reportedly took too long, and Markhasev shot him in the head. As reported by the Los Angeles Times, Markhasev was known to authorities and had a criminal record.

Mikhail Markhasev was charged and convicted of Ennis Cosby's murder

The Chilling Murder Of Bill Cosby's Son Ennis (4)

John Chapple/Getty Images

The Cinemaholic reports hair samples authorities recovered from the knit cap were consistent with Mikhail Markhasev's hair. They also confirmed the handgun found with the knit cap was used in the assault. Markhasev was subsequently charged with Ennis Cosby's murder.

As reported by AP Archive, the trial lasted two weeks before it was turned over to the jury, which was made up of six men and six women. After fewer than six hours, the jury returned with a unanimous guilty verdict.

Prior to sentencing, Cosby's uncle, Eric Hanks, gave a victim impact statement — which included anecdotes about Ennis Cosby's life and how beloved he was by his family and friends. In addition to sharing several photos of the victim, AP Archive reports Hanks said, "Everyone I spoke with who knew him well regarded him as a good, kind and caring person. We all admired him for how he would extend his hand in friendship to anybody regardless of race or religious background, ethnicity or economic status. He wasn't looking for any special recognition, that's just the way he was."

Hanks also emphasized Markhasev's apparent lack of remorse and shared a photo of the defendant smiling during the proceedings. According to AP Archive, the defendant did not show any emotion when the jury's decision was read and simply winked at his grandmother. Hanks ultimately asked the court to sentence Markhasev to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Mikhail Markhasev was sentenced to life in prison

The Chilling Murder Of Bill Cosby's Son Ennis (5)

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In July 1998, Mikhail Markhasev was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of Ennis Cosby. Although he denied involvement, and filed an appeal, Markhasev ultimately confessed to the heinous crime. As reported by The Cinemaholic, Markhasev sent a letter to the California Deputy Attorney General, in which he requested to withdraw his appeal.

In the letter, he also said, "I am guilty, and I want to do the right thing ... More than anything, I want to apologize to the victim's family. It is my duty as a Christian, and it's the least I can do, after the great wickedness for which I am responsible."

In the years before Markhasev sent a letter to the California Deputy Attorney General, he wrote another letter that was introduced during his trial. In the letter, he referred to Ennis Cosby by using a racial slur. As reported by ABC News, Markhasev's attorneys argued that the letter was forged. However, AP News reports Markhasev used the same slur when describing his victim to Christopher So.

According to Showbiz CheatSheet, Bill Cosby referred to Markhasev's racism in a 2020 Instagram post, which was posted by his legal team on his behalf. The statement said, in part, "When I think about George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and countless other Black people murdered by Racial Hatred, I could not help but think about my son, Ennis, who was also brutally murdered."

Bill and Camille Cosby believe Ennis' murder was racially motivated

The Chilling Murder Of Bill Cosby's Son Ennis (6)

Leigh Vogel/Getty Images

Camille Cosby has also blamed racism for the death of her son Ennis. As reported by CBS News, Camille said the media seemed to have "played down the racial aspect" of Ennis' murder.In an article published by USA Today, Camille said she did not blame Ukraine for instilling racism in Mikail Markhasev. Instead, she believes he became racist after moving to the United States.

CBS News reports Camille blames television programs and movies for perpetuating negative stereotypes about Black people. She said Markhasev was not exposed to those television programs and movies in Ukraine. However, after moving to the United States in the late 1980s, he was exposed to the negative stereotypes that subsequently breed racism.

Camille also blamed the prominence of white supremacists and hate crimes against Black people in the United States for encouraging more hatred and ultimately causing an increase in crimes against Blacks. According to CBS News, Camille also blamed the United States' pervasive use of Christian icons that have been "recreated in images of whiteness," for furthering the idea that whites are somehow superior to Blacks.

Although Ennis Cosby's death has been attributed to a botched robbery, race relations expert Dr. Alvin Poussaint said Markhasev's use of racial slurs when referring to his victim, and the fact that Ennis was not actually robbed, suggest the murder was related to Ennis' race.

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The Chilling Murder Of Bill Cosby's Son Ennis (2024)

FAQs

How was Ennis Cosby died? ›

On January 16, 1997, disgraced comedian and TV star Bill Cosby's 27-year-old son Ennis Cosby is murdered after he stops to fix a flat tire along California's Interstate 405 in Los Angeles.

Is Little Bill based on Bill Cosby son? ›

Glover household

William "Bill/Little Bill" Glover Jr. (voiced by Xavier Pritchett) is an inquisitive and imaginative boy. He is known as Little Bill because his actual name is Bill Jr., and his father's name is also Bill. Little Bill was based on both Bill Cosby himself and his late son, Ennis Cosby.

Does Cosby have kids? ›

Bill Cosby

Is Camille Cosby still married? ›

Bill Cosby and his wife Camille have been married for 58 years and despite sparking rumors of divorce after Camille was spotted without her wedding ring, they are still happily together. Camille Cosby, 77, has been married to disgraced comedian Bill Cosby, 84, for 58 years.

What really happened to Cosby's son? ›

By the 1990s, Bill Cosby — untainted by future scandals — was known as one of the funniest men in America. But true tragedy befell the famous comedian on Jan. 16, 1997, when his only son, Ennis Cosby, was shot and killed while changing a tire in Los Angeles.

Why did Little Bill get canceled? ›

Little Bill was one of my favorite shows throughout my childhood. And it made me want to watch it more and more. The saddest part of my life came when Nickelodeon took the show off the air in 2014, due to the sexual assault allegations of Cosby.

Why was Little Bill discontinued? ›

Parents, librarians and administrators banned this Stonewall Honor Award-winning graphic novel for young adults because it includes LGBT characters, was deemed sexually explicit and was considered to have an offensive political viewpoint, the ALA said.

Did Little Bill get Cancelled? ›

Then, one of his family members says, "Little Bill, who are you talking to?" and he giggles. This was an ongoing catchphrase that closed every show. Little Bill was canceled in 2014 after the show's creator Bill Cosby was accused of sexual harassment.

How many children does Bill and Camille Cosby have? ›

Bill Cosby, 84, and his wife Camille Cosby, 77, have had five children during their 58-year marriage.

How much money does Bill Cosby still have? ›

Bill Cosby was born on July 12, 1937, and is currently 85 years old.
...
Net Worth:$400 Million
Age:85
Born:July 12, 1937
Gender:Male
Height:1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
3 more rows
4 Aug 2022

How many of Bill Cosby's kids are still alive? ›

Cosby has three adult living children and two who are deceased. Interestingly enough, they all have names starting with the letter “E." Cosby and his wife, Camille, to whom he's been married for 58 years, share all five of their children together.

How is Camille Cosby related to Tom Hanks? ›

Sister-in-law of Russell Cosby. She was born Camille Olivia Hanks and is related to actor Tom Hanks, as both of them share a biological lineage to Abraham Lincoln through his mother, Nancy Hanks. Her son, Ennis Cosby, 27, was shot dead while fixing a flat tire off the San Diego freeway [January 16, 1997].

Is Camille Cosby Catholic? ›

Personal life. While studying at the University of Maryland, Cosby went on a blind date during her sophomore year with Bill. Engaged shortly after they began dating, the pair married on January 25, 1964 in the Catholic Church (Camille being notably devout).

Is Bill Cosby a doctor? ›

In 1976, Cosby earned a Doctor of Education (EdD) from UMass; his dissertation was titled "An Integration of the Visual Media Via 'Fat Albert And The Cosby Kids' into the Elementary School Curriculum as a Teaching Aid and Vehicle to Achieve Increased Learning".

Where is Ennis Cosby buried? ›

Why is it called the pound cake speech? ›

In the lengthy and meandering speech, Cosby railed against black women for supposedly "having children by five, six different men" and bemoaned the existence of black men with "pants down around the crack." The "pound cake" reference came when he suggested blacks were responsible for getting shot by police.

Who is Judy Huth? ›

Judy Huth, 64, is a California woman who gained attention after filing a lawsuit against Bill Cosby in 2014. Cosby, 84, and Huth's relationship dates back to 1975 when she was 16 years old.

How old is Little Bill now? ›

William Farnell “Little Bill” Glover is the main protagonist of the Little Bill Series, which focuses on him as a 5-year-old exploring everyday life using his imagination. In the Summer Chronicles Series and Advanced Education, he is now 11, and has a strong rivalry with Caillou.

Is Little Bill based on a true story? ›

While Bill Cosby created both the Little Bill book series and its television adaptation, the character Little Bill doesn't appear to be based on him. Many believe that Bill Cosby based Little Bill on his late son, Ennis William Cosby, who was shot and killed on Jan. 16, 1997, while fixing a flat tire in LA.

Is Alice the great little bills Grandma? ›

Alice the Great is Little Bill's great grandmother. She is Brenda and Deborah's grandmother. Alice the Great has an older brother and older sister, and a cousin who lives in Cincinnati. Usually she teaches Little Bill lessons and tells stories to him.

What year did Caillou come out? ›

Since Caillou debuted in 1997, children's media has made great progress in capturing the complexities of this new world.

Who is Little Bill's brother? ›

Robert "Bobby" Glover is the middle child of the Glover family and oldest son. He is April's younger brother and Little Bill Glover's older brother.

When did Caillou come out? ›

What happened to the little bill show? ›

animated preschool series, Little Bill, ceased production in 2006 and hasn't aired since February. BET's Centric channel continues to air the classic 1980s sitcom, which is also available for streaming on Hulu Plus.

When did little bill come out? ›

What year did little bill come out? ›

The stories feature Little Bill learning a lesson or moral, and every episode was developed through research and in consultation with a panel of educational consultants. The series originally ran on Nickelodeon from November 28, 1999 to February 6, 2004, and reruns continued until December 22, 2006.

What happened to Bill Cosby's daughter? ›

Ensa Cosby, the daughter of comedian Bill Cosby, has died aged 44, a spokesman for the family says. She died from a kidney disease in Massachusetts on Friday, according to spokesman Andrew Wyatt. Last year, she defended her father when he went on trial over allegations he drugged and sexually assaulted a woman in 2004.

How much money does Bill Cosby still have? ›

Bill Cosby was born on July 12, 1937, and is currently 85 years old.
...
Net Worth:$400 Million
Age:85
Born:July 12, 1937
Gender:Male
Height:1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
3 more rows
4 Aug 2022

Where is Ennis Cosby buried? ›

Why is it called the pound cake speech? ›

In the lengthy and meandering speech, Cosby railed against black women for supposedly "having children by five, six different men" and bemoaned the existence of black men with "pants down around the crack." The "pound cake" reference came when he suggested blacks were responsible for getting shot by police.

How many of Bill Cosby's kids are still alive? ›

Cosby has three adult living children and two who are deceased. Interestingly enough, they all have names starting with the letter “E." Cosby and his wife, Camille, to whom he's been married for 58 years, share all five of their children together.

How many of Bill Cosby's children are still alive? ›

Their only son, Ennis, was murdered on January 16, 1997, while changing a flat tire on the side of Interstate 405 in Los Angeles. Cosby's daughter Ensa died of renal disease on February 23, 2018, while awaiting a kidney transplant. The Cosbys have three grandchildren.

Where is Ensa Cosby buried? ›

The family reportedly buried Ensa Cosby next to her brother on the family estate in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts. Share: Share on Facebook.

Who is the richest Cosby kid? ›

Keshia Knight Pulliam Net Worth
Net Worth:$6 Million
Gender:Female
Height:5 ft (1.54 m)
Profession:Actor, Entrepreneur
Nationality:United States of America
1 more row

Who is the richest actor in the world? ›

As of August 2022, Jerry Seinfeld is the richest actor in the world with a net worth of $950 million. Who is the 2nd richest actor in the world? Tyler Perry with a net worth of $800 million.

Does Bill Cosby get royalties from The Cosby Show? ›

Celebrity Net Worth further claims that, when all other income streams are added, he earned $4 million per episode, which would bring his total salary to $808 million. Cosby owned 20 per cent of the show's equity and continued to receive royalties from the show for decades as reruns of the sitcom were shown on TV.

How is Camille Cosby related to Tom Hanks? ›

Sister-in-law of Russell Cosby. She was born Camille Olivia Hanks and is related to actor Tom Hanks, as both of them share a biological lineage to Abraham Lincoln through his mother, Nancy Hanks. Her son, Ennis Cosby, 27, was shot dead while fixing a flat tire off the San Diego freeway [January 16, 1997].

Who killed Ennis 1883? ›

I mean, when she gets up and kills that guy for Ennis, that's a different Elsa. Elsa has taken a turn. It's a big shift in the dynamic of her character.

Where did Camille Cosby go to college? ›

Camille Cosby

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