Former college basketball player in Florida accused of murdering mother: Police

An ex-college basketball standout who played for the University of South Carolina and the University of Connecticut allegedly murdered his mother in Florida and covered her body in blankets and towels.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said it responded around 8 a.m. Monday to a home on 15th Street West. When deputies arrived to the “disturbing scene” they found 51-year-old Erika Winford unresponsive, suffering from gunshot wounds and wrapped in a blanket and towels in the backyard. Paramedics pronounced her dead on scene.

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Winford’s son, 28-year-old Eric Cobb, was taken into custody as he tried to slip out of the house, deputies said. He’s currently stands accused of second-degree murder. The sheriff’s office is working with the State Attorney’s Office to file formal charges.

Sgt. Steve Rudlaff told local NBC affiliate WTLV that they responded to the home after one of Winford’s friend’s went looking for her after she wasn’t answering her phone and discovered her body in a large pool of blood. Detectives talked to two witnesses: One said they heard a woman screaming, “he’s going to kill me,” around 8 p.m. Sunday and another, who heard several gunshots the same night. However, neither called 911, per Rudlaff.