A former college basketball player who once played for the University of South Carolina and the University of Connecticut has been accused of murdering his mother in Florida. Authorities say the suspect covered her body in blankets and towels in an apparent attempt to conceal the crime.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office responded around 8 a.m. Monday to a home on 15th Street West, where they discovered the body of 51-year-old Erika Winford. She was found unresponsive in the backyard, suffering from gunshot wounds. Paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene.
According to law enforcement, Winford’s 28-year-old son, Eric Cobb, was attempting to slip out of the house when officers took him into custody. Cobb now faces a charge of second-degree murder, and prosecutors are working with the State Attorney’s Office to formally file charges.
Authorities stated that the incident came to light after one of Winford’s friends became concerned when she failed to answer phone calls. The friend went to the house and discovered the body in a large pool of blood before alerting the police. Investigators later interviewed two witnesses who heard disturbing noises the night before the body was found. One witness recalled hearing a woman screaming, “He’s going to kill me,” around 8 p.m. Sunday, while another reported hearing multiple gunshots. However, neither witness contacted law enforcement at the time.
Cobb, a 6-foot-9-inch, 240-pound former basketball player, was a well-regarded recruit coming out of high school. He played for UConn during the 2018-19 season, averaging just over 12 minutes per game in 32 contests, primarily as a reserve. His college career was marked by disciplinary issues, including a suspension for conduct detrimental to the team during the previous season. He originally began his college career at South Carolina but left the program after an arrest during his freshman year. That arrest stemmed from an incident in which he shot an occupied car with a BB gun. Following his departure, he played for a junior college in Florida before transferring to UConn.
Cobb spent his early years in Jacksonville but later attended St. Francis Academy in Baltimore for his senior year of high school. He was considered a four-star recruit and ranked as the 21st-best power forward in the country in 2015, according to recruiting evaluations.
The sheriff’s office described the crime scene as particularly disturbing, with Winford’s body wrapped in blankets and towels, seemingly in an attempt to hide the evidence. Detectives are still working to determine a motive for the killing, but initial reports suggest a history of domestic issues.
Authorities have not yet disclosed whether Cobb has retained legal representation or made any statements regarding the allegations. He remains in custody at the Duval County Jail without bond.
This case has sent shockwaves through the community, particularly those who followed Cobb’s once-promising basketball career. His struggles with disciplinary issues and legal troubles now stand in stark contrast to the high expectations that once surrounded him as a recruit.
As the investigation continues, law enforcement officials are urging anyone with additional information about the case to come forward. Detectives are also reviewing Cobb’s past incidents to determine whether they could provide insight into what led to the tragic events that unfolded at his mother’s home.
With Cobb facing a serious murder charge, the case will now move through the legal system as prosecutors gather evidence and prepare for trial. If convicted, he could face a lengthy prison sentence. Meanwhile, family, friends, and the broader community are left grappling with the shocking reality of a son accused of taking his own mother’s life.
