OH OH- Ericka Weems, 37, academic, owner of daycare, sent out of character text, found fatally shot in bedroom, @ home, Akron, 2 November 2020, *Reward*

[dotr]

rbbm. lengthy article.

'Someone Knows': Who killed LeBron James' 'sister' Ericka Weems?

3News' exclusive series examines autopsy reports, photos as LeBron James eulogizes sister figure and her unsolved shooting death.

www.wkyc.com

"It just doesn't make sense," her sister Shermaine Weems told 3News Investigates. "Either way around, it just doesn't make sense."
Yes, she lived alone in a high-crime area off Copley Road in Akron. But Ericka was, by all measures, a success, raised in a solid family that embraced education, always taking the safe route.''
''She earned two college degrees, including a master's. She owned her own home and her own child day care business. At age 37, she was an achiever with famous lifelong friends like local NBA legend LeBron James, who was raised in Akron and was so close with the Weems family he still called Ericka his sister.''

''In the upstairs, they found Ericka, slumped on her bed, both feet dangling off the side.
Photographs taken by investigators and viewed this week by 3News Investigates show her body partially wrapped by a green bath towel. Her cell phone, the one Shermaine had called all weekend, was still in one hand. A red solo cup was in the other.''

''A series of investigative photos suggest Ericka Weems was seated on her bed near a nightstand when she was shot three times. Based on the towel, investigators believe she had either just showered or was about to shower.''

''There were no obvious signs of a struggle or a break-in. A few items, including her purse, were missing. Other valuables were left behind.
Autopsy records obtained by 3News Investigates reveal she was shot three times with a small-caliber gun. ''
''There were no obvious signs of a struggle or a break-in. A few items, including her purse, were missing. Other valuables were left behind.
Autopsy records obtained by 3News Investigates reveal she was shot three times with a small-caliber gun. ''

''It appears Ericka was killed by someone she knew, or by an intruder she did not expect. Shermaine recalled a text Ericka sent to a male friend that read, "I opened my door to a complete stranger thinking it was you LOL".
Everything about that text is out of character, including using the abbreviation for "laughing out loud," Shermaine said.''
Nov 09, 2021

Akron family seeks justice 1 year after mysterious murder of Ericka Weems

Every day, Shermaine Weems-Reed wears two necklaces with pictures of her sister Ericka Weems engraved on them.

www.news5cleveland.com

"She's not resting until we find out who did this to her."

She last spoke with her sister in the early morning hours of November 1, 2020, but concern began to mount when no one could reach her over the next 24 hours.
Weems-Reed and her husband went to Weems' home on the afternoon of November 2 and entered through a back door.
In a second-floor bedroom, the couple made a horrifying discovery. Weems-Reed said her sister's body was cold and investigators would determine she had been shot to death.
"Who would do something so horrible? For what," Weems-Reed said.''

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Nov 9, 2021
Akron Family seeks justice 1 year after mysterious murder

 

[dotr]

LeBron James Demands Justice for the Murder of His 'Brother's Sister'

LeBron James asks for her help on Twitter to find the person who murdered his "brother's sister" Ericka Weems.

heavy.com

''In the midst of the nationwide unrest leading up to Election Day, LeBron James’ “brother’s sister,” Ericka Weems, was found murdered in Akron, Ohio, on November 2. She was 37.

On November 4, James tweeted, “AKRON OHIO!! My brother’s sister was murdered this past weekend in her home! My brother family need answers to why and by whom. My city I need y’all to go to work and find out who did this awful, shameful, disgusting thing to such a caring, loving angel! #Justice4EricaWeems.”
'The “brother” James is referring to is Brandon Weems, a close friend of the NBA star. He’s the scouting director of the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to The Washington Post.''

 

[Soulmagent]

There is a 3 part podcast on this case . I have not listened but for 3 parts there has got to be information in there given there is so little out in the media.
Who Killed Erica Weems?! PART 1: 3 years later Shermaine Weems-Reed and the Weems family are still looking for answers. by Live At Studio 225

 

[dalsglen]

That text is creepy

 

[Soulmagent]

So it is really a radio interview with Ericka's sister ,that is broke up over two recordings but just one interview .
Not a lot of information but they did mention something going on with her car..
Wish we had a time stamp for that text.

 

[dotr]

May 2, 2021, By Logan Johnson rbbm, lengthy.

Family still searching for answers six months after Ericka Weems was fatally shot at Ohio home

The Cleveland Cavaliers are offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest in Ericka’s murder.

www.nbcnews.com

''Ericka Weems was the total package. She had beauty, brains and talent. She was fun and outgoing, and she loved to sing and dance, it makes sense that she was a cheerleader when she was younger. But that’s not all. Ericka had basketball skills too.''

''Christian explained to Dateline that Ericka was excited that she had finally paid off credit card debt, her home was almost paid for and she had recently picked out a building for her daycare.
Ericka was also known to be very involved in her community in Akron. She even helped found an organization called Young Black Professionals Coalition, which provides scholarships to high school students as well as mentorship programs for young adults.''

''Ericka’s sister Shermaine told Dateline she was concerned when she later learned about one of the last text messages Ericka sent before her death. Shermaine said the text read “I opened the door for a stranger in my towel because I thought it was you lol.”
When Shermaine learned of this message, she thought it was odd that her sister never told her about this unusual encounter.
“It’s strange that she wouldn’t mention that to me,” Shermaine said.
The text message began to raise more questions for the Weems family, who told Dateline the information was provided to police for the investigation.
“Why would somebody just out of the blue knock on your door and it’s a stranger,” Shermaine added''

 

[Betty P]

May 2, 2021, By Logan Johnson rbbm, lengthy.

Family still searching for answers six months after Ericka Weems was fatally shot at Ohio home

The Cleveland Cavaliers are offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest in Ericka’s murder.

www.nbcnews.com

''Ericka Weems was the total package. She had beauty, brains and talent. She was fun and outgoing, and she loved to sing and dance, it makes sense that she was a cheerleader when she was younger. But that’s not all. Ericka had basketball skills too.''

''Christian explained to Dateline that Ericka was excited that she had finally paid off credit card debt, her home was almost paid for and she had recently picked out a building for her daycare.
Ericka was also known to be very involved in her community in Akron. She even helped found an organization called Young Black Professionals Coalition, which provides scholarships to high school students as well as mentorship programs for young adults.''

''Ericka’s sister Shermaine told Dateline she was concerned when she later learned about one of the last text messages Ericka sent before her death. Shermaine said the text read “I opened the door for a stranger in my towel because I thought it was you lol.”
When Shermaine learned of this message, she thought it was odd that her sister never told her about this unusual encounter.
“It’s strange that she wouldn’t mention that to me,” Shermaine said.
The text message began to raise more questions for the Weems family, who told Dateline the information was provided to police for the investigation.
“Why would somebody just out of the blue knock on your door and it’s a stranger,” Shermaine added''

Who was the recipient of this text message? It sounds like it was sent that night, but at what time? We assume it came from Erika's phone, but who did she send it to? I also assume LE has looked closely at her cell phone calls, texts, social media postings. I wonder if there was anything relevant there?

Does LE believe that she let the killer into her home, then ended up upstairs with them? Did it appear she felt she was in immediate danger and ran upstairs to retrieve her phone to call 911? It sounds like it happened fairly quickly, based on the little info the public has.

Did Erika have a boyfriend or SO? Anyone she was dating?

Here's historical data for that night about weather, sunset, etc.

North Canton, OH Weather History | Weather Underground

Her sister says they found the back door to her house open when they went to check on her the next day. Assume that's how the killer left, did he also arrive at the same door? Fingerprints? DNA? Was she sexually assaulted?

 

[Betty P]

Here's a link to another local tv news article that provides more information, interviews with neighbors, etc.

Cavaliers 'filled with pain’ after executive’s sister was murdered in her Akron home, LeBron James demands justice

LeBron James is calling for his hometown "to go to work and find out who did this awful, shameful, disgusting thing to such a caring, loving angel! #Justice4EricaWeems"

www.cleveland19.com

• She had just moved into the house the previous June. She had been living in Columbus, OH, but moved back to her hometown after COVID lockdown forced her to close her day care center there.
• Her next door neighbor, like others, said she didn't deserve what happened to her. She was quiet and kept to herself. She was independent and self-sufficient, always pleasant to neighbors. He said she sometimes asked him for help in fixing up her home.
• Recently celebrated her birthday at a nearby bar owned by a friend, also named Erica. Name of the bar was Social 8. She always came to R&B night on Tuesdays.

She said during the pandemic shutdown, she would come multiple times a day and order food for herself and her dad. She even gave her money to help get her through. “She was able to give that to me and I will forever, forever love her,” said Banks.

She said they last spoke on Saturday, when Weems wanted to watch the OSU game at Social 8. “We told each other we loved each other and that was the last time I talked to her.”

Ericka didn't watch the game at Social 8 on Sunday, she watched it at her new home with her dad, according to a news article above.

I wonder if there was someone from the Social 8 who was interested in Ericka? Perhaps she rejected their advances and made them angry.

 

[Soulmagent]

Here's a link to another local tv news article that provides more information, interviews with neighbors, etc.

Cavaliers 'filled with pain’ after executive’s sister was murdered in her Akron home, LeBron James demands justice

LeBron James is calling for his hometown "to go to work and find out who did this awful, shameful, disgusting thing to such a caring, loving angel! #Justice4EricaWeems"

www.cleveland19.com

• She had just moved into the house the previous June. She had been living in Columbus, OH, but moved back to her hometown after COVID lockdown forced her to close her day care center there.
• Her next door neighbor, like others, said she didn't deserve what happened to her. She was quiet and kept to herself. She was independent and self-sufficient, always pleasant to neighbors. He said she sometimes asked him for help in fixing up her home.
• Recently celebrated her birthday at a nearby bar owned by a friend, also named Erica. Name of the bar was Social 8. She always came to R&B night on Tuesdays.

Ericka didn't watch the game at Social 8 on Sunday, she watched it at her new home with her dad, according to a news article above.

I wonder if there was someone from the Social 8 who was interested in Ericka? Perhaps she rejected their advances and made them angry.

Why is Sunday a day she was expected to be at social 8?
Since the case lit off ,it was said she watched a game at one of her family members place?
I know she spent every Tuesday at social 8 ,for R&b .

 

[Betty P]

Why is Sunday a day she was expected to be at social 8?
Since the case lit off ,it was said she watched a game at one of her family members place?
I know she spent every Tuesday at social 8 ,for R&b .

According to the owner of Social 8, Ericka told her she would be there to watch the OSU game. That’s according to the quote in the linked article. Other than that, I don’t know.