Mum recalls 'two years of hell' since son's killing
BBCThe mum of a teenager who was shot dead on an industrial estate has spoken about the "hell" she has been through, as her son's death remains unsolved two years on.
Ellis Cox, 19, died after he was shot in the back on the Liver Industrial Estate in Aintree in June 2024.
Nine people have been arrested in connection with his death but no-one has been charged.
"It doesn't feel like we have been fighting this for two years - it feels like weeks," Ellis's mum, Carolyn Cox told BBC Radio Merseyside. "Every day rolls into one, every day the realisation hits you. But you just have to carry on pushing. We are still fighting for justice for Ellis."
"The last two years have been hell," Carolyn said. "I can't explain the pain that this has caused me as a mum.
"We see his friends, with their girlfriends and jobs and obviously in the future they're going to have children.
"No matter how long it takes we will do it - while we're still breathing we won't stop."
Family handoutThe teenager was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later.
He had just told his mum he was "five minutes from home" after a day out in Southport with friends.
Shortly after, Merseyside Police confirmed two people had been arrested as part of the ongoing investigation.
In the two years that have followed, a further seven people have been arrested in connection to Ellis's death.
All nine suspects who have been arrested remain under investigation.
Speaking ahead of the two-year anniversary of Ellis's death, Steve McGrath from Merseyside Police said he believed the attack was "targeted".
"I do believe it was targeted, I don't think this was a completely random attack," McGrath said.
"Although Ellis wasn't involved in criminality at all, some of his friends who he was with on the night had been involved in localised drug dealing in the area.
"Not Ellis at all.
"I think he'd only started hanging around with them a couple of months prior."
Family photoMcGrath added: "I'm convinced there are people out there who know precisely what's happened here, whether they were present at the time."
"Only one of these individuals, I believe, is responsible for discharging that firearm.
"There are at least two or three other individuals who were present."
Carolyn and Julie have been campaigning for justice for Ellis ever since his death.
And after a Crimestoppers reward of £20,000 brought forward more information, the family raised a further £20,000 earlier this year - in the hope the reward would encourage anyone with information to come forward.
Appealing to anyone who knows more about Ellis's death, his family said: "Whoever they are, they hold the key, they hold that information and they're withholding it.
"They could put an end to all of this quite easily couldn't they, but they're not.
"Do the right thing and bring these people forward, stop protecting them, stop covering for them."
Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
