The tragic death of Ennis Cosby, the son of the famous comedian Bill Cosby, has shaken his family and the public and highlighted the devastating impact of violence and racism. Loved by his family and known for his commitment to helping others, Ennis was the victim of a senseless act of violence at the age of 27. His life of promise and compassion was cut short when he was shot dead during an attempted robbery. while changing a tire on a freeway in Los Angeles. The subsequent arrest and conviction of Mikhail Markhasev brought some closure to the Cosby family, but the pain of their loss lingered, compounded by Markhasev’s initial denial of responsibility. Ennis’ legacy lives on through his family’s advocacy and enduring love for him, as evidenced by Bill Cosby’s heartfelt tribute to his son and all of his children.
Mikhail Markhasev shot and killed Ennis Cosby in an attempted robbery after he stopped his car on the side of a Los Angeles freeway to fix a tire.
Ennis Cosby did not receive a formal diagnosis of dyslexia until he was a college student.
He pledged to help future students who were struggling with their studies.
In the 1990s, Bill Cosby was considered one of the funniest guys in America, untainted by the subsequent controversies. But when the only child of the famous comedian, Ennis Cosby, was shot while changing a tire in Los Angeles, a real tragedy occurred.
While on vacation in Los Angeles, Ennis, who worked with Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show and provided his father with endless material for jokes, experienced a flat tire. While he was trying to change that, Mikhail Markhasev, then 18, tried to rob him but shot him dead instead.
After the tragic aftermath, Cosby’s family accused two people of his death. They argued that despite the fact that Markhasev fired the shot that killed Ennis, American prejudice served as the driving force behind the heinous attack.
This is the harrowing story of the life and death of Ennis Cosby, the only child of the publicly disgraced former “America’s father.”
Ennis William Cosby, born on April 15, 1969, immediately caught the attention of his father.
The famous comedian Bill Cosby dearly wanted a son as their third child, as he and his wife Camille already had two daughters.
Bill often made fun of his relationship with Ennis in his comedy routines, as he was overjoyed to have a son. Additionally, when Bill co-created The Cosby Show, which ran from 1984 to 1992, he modeled his own child, Ennis Cosby, after Theo Huxtable.
The Los Angeles Times claims that Bill portrayed Theo Huxtable as a failing student who overcame his learning disability by integrating Ennis’ dyslexic difficulties into the curriculum.
That’s exactly how things played out in Ennis Cosby’s life. Cosby was diagnosed with dyslexia and began attending specialized programs.
Because of his exceptional academic results, he transferred from Morehouse College in Atlanta to Columbia University’s Teachers College in New York.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Bill Cosby’s son wanted to focus on reading problems while earning a doctorate in special education.
According to The Washington Post, Ennis Cosby once said in an essay, “I believe in chances, so I don’t give up on individuals or children.
“I think fewer students like me will fall through the cracks if more teachers are aware of the indicators of dyslexia and learning disabilities in the classroom,” the child said.
Handsome and athletic, Cosby also acquired his father’s sense of humor. One day, Bill Cosby joked about the time he offered Ennis his dream Corvette if he got better grades. According to Bill, Ennis asked, “Dad, what do you think of Volkswagen?”
At the young age of 27, Ennis Cosby’s life ended cruelly.
In January 1997, Ennis Cosby flew to Los Angeles to visit friends. But he unexpectedly experienced a flat tire around 1 a.m. on Jan. 16 while driving his mother’s Mercedes SL convertible on Interstate 405 in the Bel Air neighborhood.
Cosby reportedly asked his girlfriend Stephanie Crane for help, according to OK. magazine. A woman who pulled up in front of him suggested Cosby call a tow company, but Ennis was adamant he could change the tire himself. Then a man approached the window while Crane was still in her car.
His name was Mikhail Markhasev. Markhasev, an 18-year-old immigrant from Ukraine, and his friends were hanging out at a nearby park and riding when they happened to spot Ennis and Crane’s cars. Markhasev allegedly approached cars in a drunken state with the aim of robbing them.
He approached Crane’s car first. Frightened, she left. And then he went to confront Ennis Cosby. However, he took too long to give Markhasev his money, so Markhasev shot him in the head.
The revelation devastated the Cosby family and the world. A beaming Bill Cosby told television cameras, “He was my hero.” CNN faced criticism for airing images of Ennis Cosby’s lifeless body on the side of the road throughout the ordeal.
But tracking down Ennis Cosby’s killer took the police some time and a crucial tip. Christopher So, an old friend of Markhasev, called the police when the National Enquirer offered $100,000 for any information regarding the death of Ennis Cosby.
The Associated Press says he and another person went looking for the gun Markhasev used to kill Ennis. Authorities say Markhasev bragged, “I shot a nigger.” It’s all over the news.
The 18-year-old was arrested by police in March after DNA evidence linking him to Markhasev was found wrapped around a gun he had discarded. In July 1998, he was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.
Erika, Ennis Cosby’s sister, spoke to reporters as the family left the courtroom; The Cosbys did not release a statement following Markhasev’s sentencing. Asked if she was relieved, according to The Washington Post, she replied: “Yeah, finally.”
But in many ways, Ennis Cosby’s death would leave his family with an open wound for years to come.
Mikhail Markhasev killed Ennis Cosby and Cosby’s family was having a hard time accepting the terrible loss. Camille Ennis, Ennis’ mother, blamed racism in America for her son’s death in a moving opinion piece published in July 1998 in USA Today.
She said, “I think America made our son’s killer despise black people.” Most likely, Markhasev did not acquire his hatred of blacks in his native Ukraine, where there was essentially no black population.
Regardless of their level of academic and economic success, Camille argues that all African Americans in America have been and continue to be threatened because of the color of their skin. Unfortunately, my family and I have discovered that this is America’s racial reality.
The Cosby family’s suffering was compounded by Mikhail Markhasev’s refusal to accept responsibility for Ennis Cosby’s death.
Until 2001, he denied pulling the trigger.
But in February of the same year, Markhasev openly admitted his guilt and declared that he would not appeal the sentence.
He said, “Although my appeal is just beginning, I don’t want to go any further because it is based on lies and fraud,” according to ABC. I want to apologize because I realize I was wrong.
Markhasev continued: “Most of all, I want to apologize to the victim’s family.” It is my Christian duty and the least I can do considering the great sin for which I am responsible.
A lot has changed in Bill Cosby’s life in the years since Ennis Cosby died.
The comedian’s fame plummeted after many women accused him of s*xual assault in the 1990s. Bill was found guilty in 2018, but his conviction for aggravated indecent assault was overturned in 2021.
However, it seems he was thinking about his son Ennis Cosby the whole time. As the comedian prepared to go to trial in 2017, Bill honored all of his children in an Instagram post. He said:
“I love you Ennis, Ensa, Erika, Erin, Camille, and Evin; keep fighting for the spirit.”
The tragic story of Ennis Cosby’s life and untimely death is a sobering reminder of the senseless violence that can occur in any community. From his struggles with dyslexia to his commitment to helping others facing similar challenges, Ennis has been an example of resilience and compassion. His death at the hands of Mikhail Markhasev shocked Cosby’s family and the nation, highlighting the devastating impact of racism and violence. Despite the pain and loss they have endured, Ennis’ family continues to honor his memory and stand for justice. Ennis Cosby’s legacy lives on through the love and perseverance of those who knew him, reminding us to cherish every moment and work towards a more just and compassionate society.