Mother pens heartbreaking letter to son shot dead in Liverpool

A heartbroken mother has written a letter to her son who was shot dead while riding a bike in Liverpool as she prepares to spend a second Christmas without him.

Life 'feels pointless' now for Carolyn Cox after her son Ellis Cox was gunned down on June 23, 2024, close to the Liverpool Loop Line on the Liver Industrial Estate.

He had been out earlier that evening to go on a bike ride with four friends.

They were approached by 'one to three males on two electric bikes' at around 10.50pm.

One of the men fired three shots at Ellis and the group.

Ellis attempted to pedal away on his bike but was shot fatally in the back. 

Six arrests have been made in connection with the murder but still no one has been charged as a wall of silence from the community halts the investigation, Ellis' family and Merseyside Police say.

The Loop Line, known locally as The Ralla, presents difficulties in the hunt for the murderers because it is largely overgrown and dimly lit.

Not many people would have been there when Ellis was shot and the suspects were not caught on CCTV.

Carolyn and Julie O'Toole, Ellis' aunt, have led a media campaign to make sure his murder is not forgotten and left unsolved.

As Christmas comes around, the time for family only drives the grief home. 

In a heartbreaking letter to her son, Carolyn said: 'Our beautiful Ellis, this is our second Christmas without you, and the pain is still as raw as it was the day you were taken from us.

'We keep waiting for time to soften it, but it hasn't. It's only taught us how to survive with a piece of our hearts missing.

'You've missed so much including birthdays.

'Not that we really celebrate anymore - we just go through the motions now.

'Everything we do is for the kids. We're just trying to get through each day the best we can, one breath at a time.

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'It's so hard knowing we won't get to take any more pictures with you, or share special dates and milestones.

'So much of it all feels pointless without you here.

'And then there's that moment each morning - when we open our eyes and for just a second we forget.

'Then it hits. That tidal wave of pain, trauma, and grief crashes over us and takes our breath away all over again.

'Simple things are so hard now. We all just crave to see your face or hear your voice one more time. Just once.'

Carolyn said she the 'unbearable' pain is a motivator for her and her family to fight for answers about his killing.

She continued: 'We're being strong for each other, because we have to be. And somehow, in the quiet moments, we know you walk beside us. 

'We feel you. We dream of you. You're never far, even when the ache feels unbearable.

'You were robbed of a beautiful life - of the plans you were going to make, the mark you were going to leave on this world, and all the places you were meant to see.

'You would have done great things, Ellis. We know it. And we would have been right there beside you for every step.

'You were everything to us. You still are. Every step we take, we take with you in our minds.

'Nothing will ever be the same again without you — the devastation cuts too deep. Our pain has become our driver and getting justice for you It's what gets us out of bed each day.

'It's what keeps us going when everything inside wants to stop.

'They say grief is the price you pay for love, and it's true. But loving you without you is unbearable.

'We wonder all the time what it's like there in heaven. Is Nan with you? We're sure your grandad is there too holding you tight the way we wish we still could.

'We never could have imagined a world without you, and being in it without you… nothing really makes sense anymore.

'You were ours, and we were yours. Always.

'This Christmas, we'll light a candle for you, save a place for you in our hearts like we do every day, and whisper Merry Christmas to the sky — hoping somehow you hear us.

'Forever loved. Forever missed. Merry Christmas, our beautiful Ellis. Until we meet again. Love you, mum x.'

People have been encouraged to visit a dedicated web page to submit information or footage which can help in the investigation of Ellis's murder.

They can also contact Merseyside Police via social media @MerPolCC, call 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting reference 24000554719.