Family release image of Ellis Cox taken on day of his murder as part of ongoing appeal for information
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We are releasing an image of Ellis Cox, which was taken on the day he was murdered on Sunday 23 June, as part of a renewed appeal for information.
Ellis, aged 19, was fatally shot earlier this year at the Liver Industrial Estate, in Aintree, and detectives continue to appeal for anyone with information to come forward to help us get justice for his family.
As part of the ongoing appeal, we have today, Monday 4 November, issued an image of Ellis on the day he was killed.
The picture, captured on a smart doorbell footage, shows him collecting a bike from his aunt’s house before he travelled to Southport. He was tragically killed later that same day at around 11pm.
His family said: “This picture of Ellis was taken as he collected the bike from his aunt’s house, happy to be heading off on a bike ride on a lovely sunny day heading to Southport. Even though he was out, he contacted all his cousins that day just checking in to see if they were okay. It was just like Ellis to do this. He was so kind and loved his family so much.
“As we continue to grieve the loss of our beautiful Ellis, the pain does not get any easier and if anything it’s harder, we are broken.
“We look at the world so differently now and the grief is overwhelming and all-consuming, dividing us all as a family as it’s just too much to bear.
“We shouldn’t be in this situation. Ellis should still be here with us and living his life, but someone’s cowardly actions mean we will not get to laugh with him again, listen to his stories, watch him grow up and watch him create the amazing life he had planned for himself.
“His nieces are only little and ask where he is all the time and his cousins are just so lost without him, without his presence, his love and his guidance. We miss his one liners, his jokes, and his hugs. He towered over us all. He was and will always be our gentle giant and we will miss him forever. Our lives will never be the same again.
“We are still looking for answers and need Liverpool and our local community’s support now more than ever. We are appealing for your help. Who took Ellis from us?
“Where were you on the evening of 23rd June at around 10-11pm. Did you see anything? Did you see Ellis and four other boys on bikes on Long Lane, near the church or by the Liver Industrial Estate? Did you hear anything at all. Were you close to the loopline or maybe on the path itself? Maybe you were on your way home, walking the dog, heading to work or maybe you had been to the shop nearby or the chip shop.
“We are appealing to Uber Eats delivery drivers, Just Eat delivery drivers, Deliveroo delivery drivers, bus drivers, taxi drivers or workers on the industrial estate who may have seen anything.
“Please think and check your dashcams or ring doorbells and ask yourself, where you in the vicinity on the night of the 23rd June?
“We have banners throughout Walton and Aintree as well as the loop line and surrounding areas which provides detail on how you can get in touch with Merseyside Police and do this anonymously if you must.
“We are also continuing our 10,000 leaflet door drop on Saturday 9 November, so please we are begging you to call if you know anything no matter how small or irrelevant you may believe it to be. Let the police be the judge of that. #SILENCEISNOTANOPTION.”
Detective Chief Inspector Steve McGrath, the Senior Investigating Officer, said: “We remain as determined as ever to get justice for Ellis’s family.
“The investigation into his murder is making progress and we have made four arrests so far, but as yet no one has been charged. We continue to appeal for information, no matter how small, which could be vital to our enquiries. I would urge anyone who may have seen anyone acting suspiciously in the area, or who heard anything, to come forward so we can bring his those involved in his murder to justice.
“There would have been cyclists in the area at that time, including food delivery staff, who use the loop line, and I would urge those who saw something that will help with our enquiries to please come forward.
“I would appeal to residents nearby and motorists who were in the vicinity at that time to please check your CCTV, doorbell or dashcam for any footage which may have captured activity that may be vital to the investigation.”
If you have any information, you can visit our 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 us via social media @MerPolCC or call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 24000554719.