Former college basketball player Eric Christopher Cobb, 28, is facing a second-degree murder charge following the discovery of his mother's body in the backyard of a Jacksonville, Florida residence. Police reported finding Erika Winford, 51, unresponsive and wrapped in a blanket and towels, with an apparent gunshot wound. Cobb was apprehended while allegedly attempting to escape the scene.
Cobb, who played basketball for the University of Connecticut from 2017 to 2019, was booked into the Duval County Jail. Neighbors reported hearing gunshots and a woman's screams the night before Winford's body was found by a concerned friend who had been unable to reach her. The friend discovered significant bloodstains outside the house and what appeared to be a covered body, prompting a call to authorities. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office pledged to collaborate with the State Attorney’s Office to pursue justice for Winford's family.
During his time at UConn, Cobb played in a total of 47 games across two seasons, averaging 2.7 points and 3.3 rebounds. Prior to UConn, he played one season at South Carolina. He is currently in custody awaiting trial.
