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Richard Ellerbee 1956 - 2002

Richard Ellerbee of Paterson, Passaic County, NJ was born on September 18, 1956 in Worms Germany, and had a sister Karen Williams. Richard Ellerbee died at age 46 years old on November 22, 2002.

Richard Ellerbee

Paterson, Passaic County, NJ 07501

September 18, 1956

Worms, Germany

November 22, 2002

New Jersey, United States

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Richard Ellerbee Richard Ellerbee (1956 - 2002)

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Richard Ellerbee's History: 1956 - 2002

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Introduction

Richard Ellerbee was born to William Ellerbee Sr. (born 1916) and Catherine Bercenia Harris (1928-1983), and he had eight siblings - two brothers, including Douglas Ellerbee (1952 - 1992) and six sisters. His life was full of abuse and anger beginning with a rough early family life as a child. It is said that he abused his younger sister, Karen, and that their father died of a heart attack while serving in the military. As an adult, Richard was in numerous abusive relationships and even threatened his ex-wife with a gun. He had several problems with authority. See Police Report - Monday August 4th 1997 and Police Report - Saturday March 29th 1997. Later, he married a single mother named Vernetta Cockerham. During Richard & Vernetta's 12 year relationship, he often abused and raped his wife. The violence was not just restricted to the couple. After 12 years, Vernetta and her husband were estranged, Vernetta having gotten a protective order against Richard. She worked with the local police and reported his multiple violations of the restraining order. A few days before Thanksgiving in 2002, he broke into Vernetta's home and murdered his 17 year old step-daughter, Candace Cockerham, who was a senior at Starmount High School, and then attempted to murder his wife, stabbing her multiple times. A long scar runs down Vernetta's neck to this day. Shortly after the crime, investigators found a burning body next to a plastic gasoline can. About 5 miles away from the body was Richard's 1996 Chevy Blazer. Later identified by dental records as the body of Richard Ellerbee, police count his death as an apparent suicide. See Police Report - Saturday March 29th 1997 for more details. On April 8th, 2018, the tv show Evil Lives Here aired an episode 'The Monster Inside Him" in which his sister Karen and ex-wife Vernetta were interviewed about their experiences with Richard. See I've found your grave - interview of Vernetta Cockerham, 40, Jonesville, North Carolina to read an interview with Vernetta about how she and Richard met, the progression of their relationship, and what she has done to keep Candace's memory alive. Two years after the attack, Vernetta filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Jonesville and two police officers. About five years later, on Tuesday June 30th 2009 a settlement was reached, just a day after the case was about to go to trial. Vernetta was awarded a sum of $430,000 for the failure of enforcing the restraining order. Vernetta was quoted as saying "I was never there to beat up the town financially or get millions and millions of dollars. I began this case—I think we put in for $10,000 at first—because I wanted to try to start a shelter for battered women. It took a long time, but this was well worth the wait for the people that it's going to help. The strengthening of domestic violence laws is happening right now, and I love being involved. I'm hoping to be able to implement services and changes in Yadkin county; that's what the settlement means to me."
09/18

1956

Birthday

September 18, 1956

Birthdate

Worms Germany

Birthplace

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Ethnicity & Family History

Richard was African-American. His mother was born in Virginia.
Nationality & Locations

Born in Worms, Germany, Richard was raised in a military family. He grew up in New Jersey and he later lived in New Jersey as an adult, where he died at the age of 46.
Early Life & Education

Richard attended Weequahic High School in Newark, New Jersey where he played basketball.
Military Service

He served in the military and was dishonorably discharged
Professional Career

Richard was a laborer.
Personal Life & Family

He was born into a family with eight siblings, two brothers and six sisters. He was born to William Ellerbee Sr, born 1916 and Catherine Bercenia Harris (1928 - 1983) on September 18th, 1956 in Worms, Germany, where his father was stationed in the United States Army. Richard married Vernetta Cockerham, a single mother of a daughter. Vernetta and Richard separated twelve years after they married, and he subsequently murdered his step-daughter, Candace, age 17. He also severely injured his ex-wife in the event. Richard's body was found in a burning car and police later determined that he had committed suicide.
11/22

2002

Death

November 22, 2002

Death date

Suicide - burned to death

Cause of death

New Jersey United States
Death location

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Obituary

Richard Ellerbee, born on September 18, 1956, came from a large family with eight siblings. His father served in the military. Tragically, at the age of 46, Richard took his own life by self-immolation on November 22, 2002. Prior to this devastating event, he committed the heinous acts of murdering his step-daughter and attempting to murder his wife, Vernetta. Richard was known to have lived in Paterson, Passaic County, New Jersey, specifically in the area with the zip code 07501.

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Richard Ellerbee lived 22 years shorter than the average family member when died at the age of 46.

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9 Memories, Stories & Photos about Richard

Daniel Pinna

10.5k+ favorites

07/20/2022

Police Report - Saturday March 29th 1997

WINSLOW - Two men were arrested around 12:10 a.m. March 22, and charged with breaking into a home in the first block of Vernon Court, Sicklerville, and threatening the resident in an attempt to collect a debt. Richard Ellerbee, 19, of the first block of Villanova Court, and Timothy Powell, 19, of the first block Eastmont Lane, both in Sicklerville, were accused of threatening the victim with a knife. They were charged with burglary, aggravated assault and making terroristic threats.

- Courier-Post in Camden New Jersey on Saturday March 29th 1997:

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Daniel Pinna

10.5k+ favorites

07/20/2022

Burned man was wanted in slaying - Killed stepchild then self, cops say

Paterson - Police have identified the body of a man found burned to death near East Side Park on Friday, saying he was a suspect in a North Carolina murder and assault committed just days before his apparent suicide. The body of Richard Ellerbee 46, was identified Tuesday, a week after he stabbed to death his 17-year-old stepdaughter, Candice Cockerham, and stabbed his wife, Vernetta Cockerham, in their Jonesville, N.C., home, investigators said.

Vernetta Cockerham survived the attack despite throat wounds, according to the Jonesville Police Department. Jonesville Police Chief Robbie Coe said in a news release Tuesday that an autopsy performed by the Essex County Medical Examiner's Office in Newark, identified Ellerbee's body through dental records. Ellerbee's 1996 Chevy Blazer, with North Carolina tags, was found five miles from where he apparently set himself on fire.

Paterson Police Sgt. Vincent Colella said Tuesday evening that the department would not identify the body until relatives were notified. Paterson investigators said Saturday that all signs pointed to suicide. They said investigators found a plastic gasoline can near the body after two passerby noticed smoke coming from a stone building near the edge of East Side Park around 12:15 p.m. and called police. By the time officers arrived, the body was burned beyond recognition.

Ellerbee and Cockerham had been together for 12 years, but had been separated for the past several months, Jonesville police said. Ellerbee pleaded guilt to assault with a deadly weapon in October, after he was charged in July with assaulting Cockerham. Jonesville is a rural town of about 1,000 residents about 43 miles northwest of Winston-Salem. What, if any, ties Ellerbee had to New Jersey were unclear Tuesday night.

- The Record in Hackensack New Jersey on Wednesday November 27th 2002 written by Laura Fasbach:

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Daniel Pinna

10.5k+ favorites

07/20/2022

Police Report - Monday August 4th 1997

Monroe - Richard Ellerbee, 20, of Villanova Court in Sicklerville, Timothy Powell, 19 of Eastmont Lane in Sicklerville, and Jomo Brody, 18, of Villa Knoll in Sicklerville were charged with disorderly conduct and using offensive language at the Saint Mary's carnival on July 31 at 10:38 p.m.

- Courier-Post in Camden New Jersey on Monday August 4th 1997.

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Daniel Pinna

10.5k+ favorites

07/20/2022

Richard Ellerbe - Weequahic High School

The 1970 senior photo of Richard Ellerbe which appeared in the Weequahic High School yearbook. It reads:

Richard has played Junior Varsity and Varsity basketball but enjoys all sports, including partying and girl watching. His favorites are James Baldwin, Claude Brown, Manchild in the Promised Land, The Temptations "I Can't Get Next to You," and The Delfonics' "Much Better Off." Richard's ambition is to attend college and to become a physical education teacher.

Date & Place: 1970 at Weequahic High School in Newark, Essex County, New Jersey 07112, United States

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Richard Ellerbe - Varsity Basketball Player

Daniel Pinna

10.5k+ favorites

07/20/2022

Richard Ellerbe - Varsity Basketball Player

Richard played Junior Varsity and Varsity basketball at Weequahic High School. This photo appeared in the 1970 yearbook.

Date & Place: 1970 at Weequahic High School in Newark, Essex County, New Jersey 07112, United States

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Kathy Pinna

2.74k+ favorites

06/23/2021

I've found your grave - interview of Vernetta Cockerham, 40, Jonesville, North Carolina

February 4 2010
What's that old saying? You can pick friends, but not your family. Well, as soon as Richard Ellerbee had become my neighbour, we'd picked each other as friends. My daughter Candice, then six, thought he was great, too, always taking us to the cinema.
'Can I have a milkshake?' Candice would ask.
Every time, he'd wink the same reply. 'Course, just don't tell your mum.' Cheeky and kind, he was just the fun mate I needed as a single mum. Within months, we'd fallen into a routine. After work, Richard came over to mine and, while I cooked tea, he'd help Candice with her homework. 'I got an A in history,' she'd brag.
'Well done, love,' I'd smile.
'It's Richard,' she'd nod. 'He knows everything.'
He certainly knew what to do when we found out Candice was being bullied. 'I'm not having this,' he stormed, going straight round to see the lad who'd been tormenting her. A quiet chat later, the bullying had stopped.
Candice worshipped Richard. Even saving up her pocket money to buy him a new shirt to wear to his labouring job. 'Thanks,' he said, tears filling his eyes.
Every day, I thanked my lucky stars Richard was in our lives.
He might have been 13 years older than me, but we had so much in common - like if we were watching a movie at home with popcorn, he'd only pick out the bits coated in toffee. 'They're my favourite,' I'd squeal.
'You snooze, you lose,' he'd tease.
Then it happened. Six months after becoming friends, we shared a kiss. 'I've been wanting to do that for ages,' he breathed.
Candice was delighted when she found out he was moving in. 'About time,' she shrieked.
It seemed not only could I pick my friends, but my family, too! And Richard was the perfect addition.
When Candice was 13, I fell pregnant. 'I can't wait to be a big sister,' she grinned.
'Great, I'll put you down for nappy duty,' teased Richard.
'No way,' she grimaced.
'Sick patrol?' he chuckled.
'Gross,' she sniggered.
When Rashieq was born, though, she took her responsibilities very seriously. Richard showed her how to change a nappy, and she always read her little brother bedtime stories. It was the same when our son Dominiq was born a year later.
'You two should get married, so we're a proper family,'
Candice suggested.
'She's got a point,' Richard grinned, wrapping his arm around her.
So we did just that, in front of friends and family. A brilliant day. 'I can finally call you dad,' Candice grinned.
'You've always been my daughter,' Richard said, gently.
I was so happy.
Richard was my best friend, husband and soulmate. Of course life isn't a fairy tale, though - a few months after the wedding, Richard was made redundant.
'Let me help if something's wrong,' I gently offered.
'You couldn't help even if you wanted,' he suddenly snarled. 'Mind your own business and
stop interfering.'
In the whole eight years I'd known Richard, he'd never once spoken to me like that. The stress of being unemployed was really getting to him.
To cheer him up, I organised a family picnic for the next day. But Richard's face was like thunder.
'I'm not going,' he spat. 'I'm not spending time with you and some irritating kids.'
'Suit yourself,' I snapped, losing my temper.
'You'll pay for this,' he snarled.
'Really? What are you?' But I couldn't finish my sentence. Pain shot down the side of my head. I fell to the floor.
Woozy, I came to with Richard standing over me with a baseball bat. 'There's more where that came
from,' he hissed,
then walked through the gate whistling.
Unsteadily, I got to my feet and touched my forehead - I was bleeding.
But I wasn't worried about me. Had the kids seen?
No, I could see them playing together in Candice's bedroom.
Hearing their innocent laughter, my blood boiled. I couldn't expose them to violence like that. Richard might have been my world but, the moment he hit me, he'd cancelled out our lives together.
What the hell had he been thinking? How could he snap like that after eight happy years together? Dashing inside before the children saw me, I called the police.
Richard was charged with assault and forced to move out of our home. I was devastated I'd lost my husband. As for Candice, she couldn't cope at all. 'I hate him, but miss him,' she sobbed.
'I know, but it's for the best.'
'Why did he do it, Mum?' she begged. 'I thought he loved us.'
'So did I,' I sighed.
Poor girl couldn't eat or sleep. She was so confused, even her schoolwork started slipping.
But I couldn't go back. Richard was bad news. He wasn't about to go away, though.
He'd got a new job as a grave digger, and started leaving creepy messages on my answerphone.
'I'll put you and the kids in these graves,' he sneered.
Another time? 'I've found the perfect plot,' he whispered.
Terrified, I continually rang the police. They said there was nothing they could do. Not even when he broke into our house and stole cash from the kids' piggy banks.
Four months after he'd left, I popped around a neighbour's for coffee while Candice prepared for a job interview. She was 17, turning into a young woman with a bright future. 'I'll give you a lift,' I'd said. 'Get me when you're ready.'
An hour later, she still hadn't appeared, though. So I nipped back across the road to see what was keeping her. Hmmm, wonder why the front door's open? 'You there, love?' I called, stepping inside.
Suddenly, I felt a hand around my neck, and the cool steel of a knife pressed against my throat.
Terror tore through me as I tried struggling free. 'I've killed her,' hissed a voice. I froze - Richard. 'Now I'm going to kill you.'
No, he wouldn't hurt Candice. She'd looked up to him, trusted him, called him Dad. There was no way he'd hurt her? he was just saying it to scare me.
But he might kill me?
With a burst of strength, I tried wriggling free.
But Richard was too fast.
A flash of something. A sharp pain like ice and fire running across my throat. Blood everywhere, suddenly weak?
Blacking out, I fell to the floor.
My eyelids fluttered open.
Where was Richard? No sign, thank God. But where had all that blood come from?
There was a big pool of it
beside me. Jesus! Richard had slashed my neck!
No sooner had I thought that, an even worse thought flashed through my head.
My daughter. Where was Candice? What if Richard really had done something to her?
I tried to get up. Stupid legs!
They wouldn't hold me up.
I tried to push myself up with my arms. They wobbled and slipped from under me.
Must get help!
I looked around. Yes! The phone was in reach!
'Police,' I gasped. Then I blacked out.
When I came to again, I was in the hospital.
'Where's Candice?' I begged.
Doctors gently explained that police had found me unconscious - and Candice with her mouth and nose covered in heavy duct tape.
She'd been brutally bound and beaten, before being strangled with an electrical flex.
I struggled to breathe.
This man had been our best friend, and then family. He'd shown Candice how to change a nappy, helped her with homework, even protected her from bullies.
She'd hung on his every word - and he'd murdered her.
The monster had to pay.
'He'll be at his sister's house,' I told police.
They were too late, though.
By the time officers arrived, Richard had gone to a nearby park, doused his clothes in petrol, and set fire to himself.
He was dead, the coward.
Without even the satisfaction of justice, how could I go on?
I'd have given anything to see a flash of Candice's smile, to see her playing with her little brothers.
Never again. She'd been my life, and I'd thought she'd been Richard's, too. Clearly not.
I couldn't let that cruel man wipe her out completely, though. Desperate to keep her memory alive, I set up a charity for battered women called Candice's Heart.
Now, with the help of thousands of friends, family, well-wishers and supporters, I know that Candice's heart will go on - forever.
Vernetta Cockerham, 40, Jonesville, North Carolina

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