The Tragic Death of Ennis Cosby
In January 1997, Bill Cosby’s only son, Ennis Cosby, was tragically shot and killed while fixing a flat tire on a Los Angeles freeway. The 27-year-old, known for his warmth and humor, had pulled over his mother’s Mercedes when 18-year-old Mikhail Markhasev attempted to rob him and fatally shot him instead.
Ennis had struggled with dyslexia, which wasn’t diagnosed until college. Determined to help others, he studied special education at Columbia University and hoped to earn a doctorate focused on reading challenges. His story even inspired parts of The Cosby Show through the character Theo Huxtable’s learning difficulties.
For Bill and Camille Cosby, the loss was devastating. Bill called Ennis “my hero,” while Camille publicly blamed racism in America for shaping the hatred that led to her son’s murder. Markhasev, a Ukrainian immigrant, was caught after bragging about the shooting and was sentenced to life in prison in 1998. Years later, in 2001, he confessed and apologized, saying he wanted to make peace with God and the Cosby family.
Ennis’s death left a lasting scar. For Bill Cosby, once celebrated as “America’s Dad,” it was a grief that never faded — even as his own life later fell into controversy. In 2017, before facing trial, he shared a rare message honoring his family:
“I love you Ennis, Ensa, Erika, Erin, Camille, and Evin; keep fighting for Spirit.”
A reminder that behind fame and scandal, there remains a father’s enduring sorrow for a son gone too soon.