Police arrest former college basketball player Eric Cobb in connection to mother’s death in Jacksonville

Eric Cobb, a former college basketball player who spent three seasons at UConn and South Carolina, has been arrested for allegedly killing his mother. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said detectives took Cobb into custody after questioning him about the incident at her Jacksonville home on Monday. The incident has shocked the Jacksonville community alongside the basketball world as the horrifying news broke on the media.

Ex-college basketball player Eric Cobb was accused of killing his mother

Former college basketball player Eric Cobb was arrested in Jacksonville, Florida, on Monday in connection with his mother’s murder. Police charged the 28-year-old with second-degree murder after discovering his mother, 51-year-old Erika Winford, wrapped in blankets and towels in the backyard of her Durkeeville home.

A statement released by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office revealed the arrest. “������ �������������� ������������ �������������������� ���������������� ������ ������������������ ������������,” the statement headline reads.

Sergeant Steve Rudlaff of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said officers responded to reports of a body found in a backyard on West 15th Street around 8:30 a.m. Monday. During the investigation, two witnesses came forward with crucial details. One reported hearing a woman scream, “He’s going to kill me,” around 8 p.m. Sunday, while another said they heard multiple gunshots.

According to Rudlaff, a friend of someone living at the residence where Erika Winford was found went to check on them after being unable to reach them by phone. When she arrived, she discovered a large pool of blood in the backyard and a body nearby. She immediately contacted the authorities, leading to the police response, per First Coast News.

“#JSO Homicide Unit swiftly arrested 28-year-old Eric Cobb for the murder of his mother. Yesterday, patrol officers responded to a disturbing scene on 15th Street West in the Mid-Westside area, where they found 51-year-old Erika Winford unresponsive, wrapped in a blanket and towels in the backyard. She had suffered a gunshot wound and was tragically pronounced deceased at the scene,” Jacksonville Sheriff stated.

As Eric Cobb attempted to leave the home, police took him in for questioning before placing him under arrest. He was later booked by the police, as he now faces a murder charge, “Following an interview, detectives arrested him. He is now in custody at the Duval County Jail.”

“Cobb, a 6-foot-9 former college basketball standout, played for UConn and the University of South Carolina. JSO will work closely with the State Attorney’s Office to seek justice for Ms. Winford’s family in the wake of this tragic crime,” the JSO statement added.

The statement further asked people to contact the police if they had information regarding the case.

Eric Cobb played college basketball at the University of Connecticut and the University of South Carolina before declaring for the 2019 NBA Draft. However, he went undrafted, leaving him as an unrestricted free agent.

During his time in South Carolina, Cobb was arrested in March 2016 after police said he fired a BB gun at a car with a man inside. While no one was injured, the vehicle was damaged, leading to property damage charges. Cobb and his teammate were later dismissed from the team.

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In 2018, Cobb was dismissed from the University of Connecticut basketball team for what was described as “conduct deemed detrimental to the team,” according to WTNH. However, the team reinstated him just a month later.

As per the police documents Cobbs is set to make his first court appearance on Tuesday morning.