“If they know who it was, how do they sleep and how do they see what we’re going through?”
Ellis Cox’s mum Carolyn is appealing for information about his death(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
A family has urged people to “dig deep” as they wait for the “final piece of information” about an unsolved murder. Ellis Cox, 19, was killed by the Liverpool Loop Line, known locally as the Ralla, near Taskers on the Liver Industrial estate on June 23 last year.
Detectives have made five arrests in connection with the murder of Ellis but no-one has been charged. The teenager was cycling with four other people when they were approached by “one to three males on two electric bikes” at around 10.50pm.
One of the group on the electric bikes opened fire, sending three shots towards Ellis and the people he was with. Ellis, who was fleeing on a pedal bike, was shot in the back.
Ellis’ family believe people who have key information about his death are choosing to stay silent and prevent his killers from being brought to justice. They launched a fresh appeal alongside Merseyside Police this week ahead of Sunday (January 18), which would have been Ellis’ 21st birthday.
Carolyn Cox and Julie O’Toole, Ellis’ mum and auntie, spoke to the ECHO this week. They admitted it is likely those who killed Ellis, or are holding information about his murder, probably see them regularly as they go to the shops on Walton Vale near Carolyn’s home.
Carolyn, 46, said: “How do they sleep at night? I might cross them, they might cross any of us in the streets or in the shop. That’s why we keep Ellis’ name out there because hopefully wherever they go, whatever they do, they will be seeing Ellis’ face.
“If they know who it was, how do they sleep and how do they see what we’re going through? How do they live with themselves, knowing that?”
Ellis Cox’s mum Carolyn (right) and auntie Julie O’Toole(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
Julie, 51, added: “You’d expect the people of Liverpool to come together and we’ve seen that in droves. We get messages all the time of hope and support.
“But ultimately if it can happen to Ellis, it can happen to anyone and we want to be able to get these people off the street so that they can’t hurt anyone else.
“And for us, it isn’t just about the milestones, because we have to live without him every day. We’re missing out on seeing him grow and what he would’ve given to the world. That’s exactly why we’re doing it for him and we’ll just continue to do that until we get justice.”
Carolyn appealed specifically to parents who might have information about the killers as she revealed her fear that the public might have forgotten about the case. She said: ”Now we’re facing a very important birthday without him.
“To the parents, put yourself in my position. You don’t know the pain that we feel from losing my baby. If you searched your conscience, then you would help us and come forward.
“The case is not solved. Don’t think, oh, it must be solved, or they might have heard this before. Whether it’s big or small, you can help us. Let the police know if you’ve got any information.”
Photograph of Ellis on his First Holy Communion(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
Julie meanwhile said others might have gathered information in the period since Ellis’ murder and the passage of time might mean they feel more confident in coming forward.
Julie said: “It might not necessarily be an immediate family member of one of these people who did this, but it could be someone who knows someone who was associated with them.
“They could have worked with them, they could have gone off drinking with them. It could have been someone they knew from school. It could be an ex-girlfriend, ex-boyfriend, you just don’t know.
Ellis had no links to crime but police have said his associates have links to “street level drug dealing in the local area”.
There was little to indicate anything unusual was happening in Ellis’ life shortly before he died. He had his long hair cut short and, in terms of socialising, he’d normally go around to the house of a family member or a friend.
Going out with a different group of friends on a bike ride was a change for him but it didn’t worry the family. Their main anxiety was Ellis falling off his bike.
Julie said the killers might have also changed their demeanour since the murder. She added: “Surely there would be one because we would absolutely see that change in our children.
“I think, it’s been 18 months now, people will be talking and maybe they’ll just get a little bit more confident. Maybe it is really hurting their conscience, so we appeal to them to do the right thing.”
Framed photograph of Ellis Cox(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
Ellis’ family will be marking his birthday with a family meal as they want to celebrate his life as well as appeal for information about his murder.
Screens showcasing how to report information, including the potential of a £20,000 from Crimestoppers, will be displayed throughout digital screens across Liverpool and on a big screen near Anfield as Liverpool supporters head to the stadium tomorrow afternoon to watch the Reds face Burnley.
On Sunday, to mark when Ellis would have turned 21, famous buildings such as the Town Hall and St George’s Hall will be lit up orange, Ellis’ favourite colour.
Carolyn said: “We’re at a point 18 months in where we need that final piece of information that’s going to get us the justice that’s deserved for Ellis.
“We just now want to beg people to dig deep and put ourselves in our shoes. Carolyn always says, as a mum you know your children, you know your partner, you know when there’s been a change.
“We want to do this for Ellis and we’ll continue to do that, but also we want to make sure that these people are not on the streets, because if it can happen to Ellis, it can happen to anyone.”
You can visit a dedicated web page to submit information or footage which can help in the investigation of Ellis’s murder: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/05MP23M53-PO1.
You can also contact Merseyside Police via social media @MerPolCC or call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting reference 24000554719.