Ennis Cosby: How Did Bill Cosby’s Son Die?

Ennis Cosby is the late son of William Henry Cosby Jr commonly known as Bill Cosby and his wife Camille Olivia Cosby. Ennis’ parents are both well-known and successful personalities. Bill Cosby is an American comedian, actor, and media personality while Camille Cosby is an American television producer, author, and philanthropist.

Ennis Cosby: Bio Summary

Growing Up As A Celebrity Child

Ennis William Cosby was born in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, USA, on April 15, 1969, to comedian, actor, and media personality Bill Cosby and his beloved companion television producer, author, and philanthropist Camille Cosby (née Hanks).

Ennis’ father wanted a son as he had two daughters already and he hoped for his third child to be a boy. Bill said to his wife Camille during a television special: “It had better be a boy, you hear, Camille?” and his wife responded: “Right!” from offscreen. Ennis, his parents’ third child was born.

Ennis Cosby was the only son but not the only child his parents has. He and his four sisters all have their names beginning with the letter ‘E’, meaning “excellence.” His siblings are Ensa Cosby, Evin Harrah Cosby, Erika Cosby, and Erinn Cosby. His sister Ensa Cosby (April 8, 1973) is dead.

Also Read: Ensa Cosby: What Happened To Bill Cosby’s Daughter?

Ensa died of renal disease on February 23, 2018, while awaiting a kidney transplant. Ennis Cosby who was born at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Los Angeles grew up in Southern California, Pennsylvania, and New York City. He attended George School, a private boarding school outside Philadelphia.

At school, Ennis played football, basketball, lacrosse, and track and field. He had low grades and friction with his parents as he suffered from undiagnosed dyslexia. He was at Morehouse College in Atlanta and spent a summer semester in Putney, Vermont.

Ennis went through intensive academic training at Landmark College, a private university for students with learning disabilities. Later, he was back at Morehouse and there he made the dean’s list when his grade point average jumped from 2.3 to above 3.5. He taught students at elementary and high schools in his free time.

In the year 1992, Ennis got a Morehouse bachelor’s degree. He also earned a master’s from Columbia University in New York in 1995. He took a job at Alfred E. Smith Elementary School and also guided students struggling with learning disabilities. He was determined to help others with similar learning problems like him.

Ennis Cosby had a promising life ahead of him but unfortunately, his life was cut short. At the time of his passing, he was working toward his doctorate in special education at Columbia University’s Teachers College. He had the dream of establishing a school for children with learning disabilities.

ALSO, READ; Evin Harrah Cosby, Where is Bill Cosby’s daughter now?

Ennis Cosby once wrote, “The happiest day of my life occurred when I found out I was dyslexic. I believe that life is finding solutions, and the worst feeling to me is confusion.”

How Did Ennis Cosby Die?

Ennis William Cosby was murdered while changing a flat tire. He died on January 16, 1997, near Interstate 405 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, USA. He was 27 years old when his life was cut short. At the time, Ennis is said to have called Stephanie Crane, his girlfriend, who drove to meet him.

Stephanie is said to have parked behind him to light the area with her headlights, while he changed the tire. According to Stephanie, a man came to her window and said; “Open the door or I’ll harm you.” She decided to drive away as she was terrified.

Stephanie heard a gunshot and drove back to where Ennis was only to find him lying on the ground, by the driver’s side of his vehicle in a pool of blood. Ennis was shot in the head. The police believed the motive of Ennis’ murder was an attempted robbery or carjacking because of Ennis’ expensive Mercedes.

However, Ennis was still wearing a Rolex watch and had $60 in his pocket. After Ennis’ demise, his family received an outpouring of support and condolences from several people around the world. The Ennis William Cosby Foundation, a benefits program focused on those with learning disabilities was created by his family.

Ennis was buried on January 19, 1997, in Shelburne, Massachusetts, after a funeral that was held at the family estate.

Who Is Ennis Cosby’s Killer?

Ennis William Cosby’s death was highly publicized. A $100,000 reward was offered by the National Enquirer to find the killer of Ennis. An acquaintance of the shooter eventually came out with information that led to Mikhail Markhasev’s arrest in March 1997.

Mikhail Markhasev was tried and convicted of first-degree murder and attempted robbery. He was sentenced to life in prison. In February of 2001, he eventually chose to confess to the murder while in prison serving his sentence, withdrawing the rest of his appeals.

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Mikhail Markhasev wrote to California Deputy Attorney General Kyle Brodie: “Although my appeal is in its beginning stages, I don’t want to continue with it because it’s based on falsehood and deceit”. He added: “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”.