A new stage in the campaign to find answers over a teenager’s murder has been launched
Carolyn Cox, mum of Ellis Cox, on the Liverpool Loop Line(Image: Supplied)
A fresh appeal has been launched to find answers after a teenager was shot dead minutes away from his home. Ellis Cox, 19, was shot dead late on June 23 2024, close to the Loop Line on the Liver Industrial Estate.
The teenager headed out earlier that evening to go on a bike ride with four others on the Loop Line. On their way back home, they were approached by “one to three males on two electric bikes” at around 10.50pm. One of the group on the electric bikes fired three shots at Ellis’ group. Ellis, on a pedal bike, had attempted to leave the scene but was shot in the back.
Detectives have made six arrests in connection with the murder but no-one has been charged, with Ellis’s family and Merseyside Police citing a wall of silence from the community as being responsible for the lack of progress.
Another complexity is the Loop Line itself. Parts of the path are heavily overgrown and dimly lit. There wouldn’t have been many people using it late on a Sunday night when Ellis was shot and the suspects were not captured on CCTV.
The next stage of the Cox family’s campaign has been launched, centred on the safety of the Loop Line.
As well as keeping the case in the public eye and raising awareness about the £20,000 reward for those who come forward with information about the murder, the family say they want to make the Ralla safer by installing more CCTV and lighting.
They hope this will prevent perpetrators of violence using the route as an easy way to escape.
The Loop Line is managed by the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, formerly known as Sustrans. The organisation says it is working closely with Merseyside Police on the best way to “improve perceived safety”.
On November 28, Ellis’s mum Carolyn Cox, his auntie Julie O’Toole and other friends and family members were joined by Dan Carden, MP for Liverpool Walton, on the Loop Line.
A poster was set up close to one of the entrances of the Loop Line, which showed an image of Ellis a few hours before he was killed. As previously reported in the ECHO, Ellis was captured on doorbell footage from Julie’s home.
Ellis had asked Julie and her husband Kev for a bike to ride on that evening.
Ellis Cox(Image: Liverpool Echo)
The poster added: “Do you remember seeing Ellis? Where you in the area at this time? Did you see Ellis with four others on bicycles that night? We are appealing to any residents, motorists (and) food delivery staff who use the loop line and who were in the vicinity at the time.”
On why the family have chosen to focus on the Ralla for the next stage of the campaign, Julie told the ECHO: “It’s to raise awareness on ideas they have to make it safer. We want our community to come and help us.
“At night, you can’t see in front of you. It’s frightening. It’s so dark that the Uber delivery workers have to wear lights on their heads. We know the police are working with Sustrans and giving recommendations on what needs to change.
“We want to know what the community thinks as well. The charity very much stands by the claim that it’s a safe green space. It’s about making it safer.”
Julie said she has faith in the police investigation but the family are still grieving the death of Ellis. She said: “We absolutely feel that sense of movement and we’re positive about the work that the police are doing.
“The Crimewatch appeal really cemented that for us. We’re really pleased with the progress, and the police are continuing to work hard.
“We just want to do our part. We are feeling positive. It doesn’t take away the devastation we feel. It does keep us awake at night. We could walk away, but why bother? If it can happen to Ellis, it can happen to someone else.”
Dan Carden, MP for Liverpool Walton, and a member of his staff on the Loop Line(Image: Supplied)
Dan Carden said on November 28: “My constituent, Ellis Cox, was just 19 when he was murdered on 23 June last year.
“There is a reward of up to £20,000 for information that brings those responsible to justice. Today Ellis’ family renewed their appeal for information and safety measures on Aintree Loop Line.”
When asked for a response to Julie’s concerns about the Loop Line last month, the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust said: “Walk Wheel Cycle Trust (formerly Sustrans) manages the Liverpool Loop Line which forms part of the National Cycle Network. We were saddened by Ellis’s death on the Liver Industrial Estate.
“The safety of all people using the Loop Line, and the National Cycle Network more broadly, is a priority for us. We work closely with local councils and the police, and the Loop Line is no exception.
“We have a strong relationship with both Liverpool City Council and Merseyside Police and are in regular dialogue with them. We have engaged with the police to determine the most helpful actions that can be taken and will be evidence led in any response.
“The Police are going to share a list of suggested measures to improve perceived safety on the Loop Line. We’re determined to engage with this as quickly and effectively as possible and will work with our partners to secure funding to implement these measures.”
Neighbourhood local policing Sergeant Ben Sherrington said: “We have met with Ellis’s family and discussed their safety concerns around the Loop Line.
“One of our architectural liaison officers, who is responsible for looking at how we can help ‘design out’ crime, has been in consultation with the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust (formerly Sustrans) to look at what feasible improvements can be made.
“Walkabouts and leaflet drops have taken place and a number of CCTV cameras have already been introduced in key locations to deter criminality.
“As always we would ask members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity so we can take action.”
You can visit a dedicated web page to submit information or footage which can help in the investigation of Ellis’s murder:
You can also contact Merseyside Police via social media @MerPolCC or call 101. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting reference 24000554719.