That same year, Wright was traded to the Atlanta Hawks. Best Motivational Speakers in South Africa. When he saw the announcement of her arrest on the news, Cowans was blown away. Lorenzen Wright played 13 seasons in the NBA before he was fatally shot in 2010. . Its estimated that Wright had earned around $55 million over the course of his NBA career. Feb. 28, 2023 Updated: Feb. 28, 2023 6:37 a.m. Facebook Twitter Email. My watch is a car, or my ring is a house, I mean, he was good to me. Charges Dropped Against Teen Wrongfully Arrested . Prosecutor Paul Hagerman: Or to lure him to Memphis, Tennessee, and murder him there. Her father was one of Wright's high school coaches. Part of Alexander Moore Partners Ltd. Ngozika loves nothing more than to turn information into an exciting, delightful, and compelling article that informs and educates, inspires, and motivates the reader. But a few days later when police questioned Sherra, her story had surprising new details. "You got the wrong person." The Germantown Police Department, which declined to comment to ABC News for this report, did not follow up on the call. He was a power forward who played for. Hello? the dispatcher said over and over again, but the phone remained silent. Lorenzen Wright disappeared in July 2010. It was just unbelievable that he was dead. She was going through a divorce, and so she felt like it would be a new start for her and the kids as well, and I was like, "OK, let's do it.". Lorenzen went on to dazzle fans at the University of Memphis, but not for long. And I can't -- I'm not gonna believe anything other then he's fine now. I said, "Leave the money alone Let them put it in the kids' trust, they can get it later. They were getting older. Sherra Wright pleaded guilty in a . In a new video that's been circulating, first reported by The New York Times, the secretary urged his staff to discharge children from the federal governments broken system of shelters faster. After close to a decade of pain, Marion turned to face the woman who admitted she had been involved in her sons murder. Wright claimed her coerced confession was the result of ineffective counsel and her constitutional rights to due process and protection from self-incrimination were violated. Fighting to stay in the league, Wright was at the tail end of his career when he went back to the Hawks for a time, and then played for the Sacramento Kings and the Cleveland Cavaliers. The growing problem has put Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra in the hot seat, with concerns mounting that migrant children have been discharged from shelters and out of federal custody too quickly, pushing them into vulnerable situations where theyre more likely to become victims of child labor. She implied that Lorenzen was involved in some sort of drug transaction and was planning to "flip something for $110,000.". The police eventually made a headway when they discovered a 911 call that had been placed by Wright around 12:05am, 19th of July. Memphis Grizzlies player Lorenzen Wright tries to get his team psyched while coaching a scrimmage at his annual basketball camp in July 2005. That frantic call was placed at 12:05 a.m. on the morning of July 19 -- just hours after Lorenzen was dropped off at Sherra's. He went missing on the night of July 18, 2010 . Lawsuits claim it wrecked their teeth. He reportedly earned a career total $55 million. Within six months she agreed to leave her marriage, leave Memphis, and move with him to Houston. When I saw him, I knew instantly [that Wright Robinson] used him because that's not what she want[ed]. It emerged that Robinson had conspired with Tuner as well as her cousin, Martin, to murder her ex-husband. Dotson said that was the last time he saw Wright. Sherra claimed it was based on her life with Lorenzen. Sherra Wright-Robinson, the ex-wife of basketball star Lorenzen Wright, has been arrested in California on charges related to his murder. This is the true life story of retired NBA star, Lorenzen Wright. It wasnt revisited until nine days later while the Memphis Police Department investigated Wrights disappearance. It was like Disneyland at his house!. Search. Martin has not been charged in connection with Lorenzen Wrights death. Important forensic evidence was lost due to decomposition. Marc Parrusquia: A lotta people, when they talk about Billy Ray Turner, his friends and congregants out there, they say, "Hey, no. Infant death syndrome was determined to be the cause of death. She also published a book titled Mr Tell Me Anything. Prosecutors say he claimed he participated in the planning to kill Wright with Wright Robinson and another man named Billy Ray Turner but that the attempt was foiled. After the arrest of Sherra Wright in December 2017, the Memphis court of public opinion seemed to come to its own conclusion. Dr. Bill Adkins | Lorenzen's mentor: As far as Mr. Billy Ray, I have never met him, don't know him. A hearing had been scheduled for Tuesday but it was rescheduled by her attorney and Coffee for July 6. Turner was a convicted felon as well as a deacon in the same church that Robinson attended. Sounds like the script of a Hollywood movie right? Lorenzen fell behind on paying child support and maintenance (alimony). On Thursday the L.A. Times revisited the tragedy, this time talking to others in the couple's life, including two of their now adult children. We're doing good." It has been the subject of a book and TV documentaries. I dont think he had never ever [come] in contact with anyone that looked like Sherra.. And I'll give you a call later.". It's challenging. And he symbolized hope in our community. Log in. Dr. Bill Adkins: If Lorenzen had never made the NBA, he'd be alive and well right now. How could you?". Who Is Andre the Giants Wife Jean Christensen? Timeline: Lorenzen Wright's disappearance, killing, and suspects Wright's badly decomposed body was discovered on July 28, 2010, in a grassy field known as Callis Cutoff near the TPC. he's a cold-hearted murderer. At that moment, instead of expressing outrage, Marion said she made the decision to focus on her six grandchildren. In court, prosecutors said the break had come from Wright Robinson's cousin, Jimmie Martin. On the call, a voice could be heard yelling, God ****" before it was followed by gunshots. Beth Thomas Child of Rage Bio: What Did She Do To Her Brother, Where Is She Now? Lorenzen Vern-Gagne Wright (November 4, 1975 - July 19, 2010) was an American professional basketball player for 13 seasons in the National Basketball Association.He was drafted seventh overall in the 1996 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Clippers and played for the Atlanta Hawks, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, and Cleveland Cavaliers.. Wright went missing on July 18, 2010, and was found . She's spiritual. Marion, who had reported her son as a missing person, said she became suspicious of his ex-wife. As Memphis mourned, months turned into years and the city became obsessed with solving the murder of its favorite son. And, of course, she being the mother, wound up being the fiduciary. He was just that type of guy. The oldest child, Lorenzen Wright Jr., is 26 years old and played basketball at Robert Morris University. But in a city divided, both racially and economically, there is something that brings people together. Martin alleges that he was not present for the actual murder, but he did help Turner and Wright clean up the crime scene. All these and more are explored below. But those in Wrights corner said some of his ex-wife's behavior was unusual. I think Lorenzen was killed for money. Phil Dotson: He had just signed a six-year, $42 million deal at that point. Sierra later died of SIDS at the age of 11 months. Most troubling for Lorenzen's family was that he seemed to have disappeared without a trace. OSherra Wright and co-defendant Billy Ray Turner appear in court in Memphis, Tenn., Oct. 5, 2018. Dr. Bill Adkins: Memphis is a city that, unfortunately, has been divided by race for many, many years. Sierra Wright, the 11-month-old daughter of Memphis Grizzlies' center Lorenzen Wright, died Saturday morning at the family's home in Memphis, Tenn. And at the same time in that world, not really being focused on his relationship and his marriage as probably he should've been. A third person was involved -- someone who claims to have been in on it an unindicted co-conspirator. On December 5, police arrested Billy Ray Turner in a convenience store in Collierville, Tenn. Marc Perrusquia: It was almost like a surreal moment, really. I just sat there. Marc Perresquia: The book is about a woman who has been wronged, who's very embittered, who's been abused emotionally, has been cheated on. The case went cold for seven years, until Billy Turner was charged with Lorenzen Wright's murder in December 2017. April Thompson: His mother told me directly, "I have had to live with the loss of a son. She wants to come make chicken and dumplings. Kelvin Cowans: Sherra is the type of person where she can make you go jump off a bridge, get back up, go back up there and jump again, OK. After Turner's arrest, Sherra and Cowans spoke by phone again. Thousands, including coaches, former teammates as well as relatives, trouped out to pay their respects. Most married couples have trouble with lack of finances. During a July 2019 hearing to approve the guilty plea, Coffee asked Wright if she was doing so voluntarily and if she understood the charges to which she was pleading. On April 11, 1995, their first child Lorenzen Wright Jr. was born. Marc Perrusquia: She also told the police that there were these mysterious gunmen who were stalking him in the days before the murder. Cowans came back home to Memphis and Sherra moved her kids to Riverside, California, where her brother is the pastor of a church. 2018 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Lorenzen Jr, then 15 years old, was the oldest of six, and the youngest, Sofia, was still a baby. After they broke up, Wright Robinson relocated to California with her kids. They got the wrong guy.". By early 2014, almost four years after the murder, Sherra had moved on and remarried. After having Lorenzen Jr., the couple got married and had a daughter named Loren, twin boys named Lamar and Shamar, another daughter named Sofia, a son named Lawson and a girl named Sierra, who died of sudden infant death syndrome when she was a baby. In college, Wright scored more than 1,000 points and was mentioned on All-American team The twins are currently playing college basketball on . Turner, a landscaper in the Memphis suburb of Collierville, and Sherra Wright attended the same church. Turner was indicted on first-degree murder charges and pleaded not guilty. This was the last time that anybody saw the former NBA star. Lorenzen Wright born Lorenzen Vern-Gagne Wright, was an American professional basketball player. April Thompson: His mother Deborah, really kind of pushed that something's not right, and made people realize that he wouldn't have been gone this long that no one heard from him. Lorenzen Wright Jr. was born on April 11, 1995, in Memphis, Tennessee. was born in 1975 and from Memphis, Tennessee (USA) and she is 44 years old as of 2019. Kelvin Cowans: I believe she did, and that's hard to say. Dr. Bill Adkins: Oh, yeah, I saw this huge kid that could run the floor like a gazelle. That day, using more precise cell phone data and aided by cadaver dogs, the search was on. On July 28, his body was discovered shot to death in a wooded area on Callis Cutoff Road, just west of Hacks Cross Road. As the days passed Lorenzen's disappearance became one of the biggest mysteries Memphis had ever seen. Police ruled the case a homicide and began investigating. And you know, for Max at age 11, this is a hero, a real-life hero that he gets to be in the gym with. Wright's uncle, Curtis Wright, told The Associated Press that police called the player's father, Herb Wright, Wednesday afternoon with the news he had died. Kelvin Cowans: --and that bothered me. Phil Dotson: Lorenzen was in high school playing for Sherra's father and she would come to practices. Family and friends of slain NBA basketball player Lorenzen Wright grieve during a memorial service at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn. on Aug. 4, 2010. Lorenzen wright had seven children with sherra wright, one who died as an infant, according to abc news.sierra wright was born in 2002 and died just 11 months later from sudden infant death. Ms. Phil Dotson | Lorenzen's friend: She was arrested and our worlds were just blown up. Kelvin Cowans tried to put all the pieces together by writing a book about his complicated relationship with Sherra Wright. The administration has struggled with how to respond to a surge of migrants, including children who travel alone, at the U.S. border since Biden first took office. Simple as that," she said. They found the needle in the haystack. Gayle Rose: My relationship was really about our mutual interest in Memphis and that generous big heart of his. Phil Dotson: "Have you talked to Lorenzen? Mother Arrested on Child Abuse Charges After Toddler Dies From Head Trauma. . So I don't have a clue. Fourteen months after Lorenzen's death, Sherra received a million-dollar life insurance payout. I mean, he could run the floor better than any big man I ever saw in my life. Dr. Bill Adkins: When you're used to spending $40,000, $50,000 a month in just change, just spendable income and you get accustomed to that, you know, $10,000 a month seems like poverty row. Lorenzen Wright was 2.11 meters tall, or 6 feet and 11 inches tall. Although, Kelvin Cowans had broken up with Sherra Wright, he thought she would be happy when the gun was found. . Toney Armstrong served with the Memphis Police Department for 27 years and was their deputy director back then. And said that he felt that he could solve it. I just believed it. But I think they wanna know the details of what happened, you know. Just this week, a surprise development in one of Memphis, Tennessee's, biggest murder cases. In my experience workin' homicides, there's always been somebody to come to that person's defense. They fell for each other and subsequently commenced a relationship. draft by the Los Angeles Clippers. But I do know that Sherra is quite capable of manipulating a man. Lorenzen Wright's ex-wife wants plea thrown out, What NBA Finals runs from LeBron, Giannis can teach Jayson Tatum, Sources: Warriors eye Curry return next week, Lakers' Davis out vs. OKC with right foot injury, V. Bryant settles crash photos suit for $28.85M, Sources: Lakers to reassess LeBron in 2 weeks, Benner, longtime Pacers PR director, dies at 67, Irving: Need to scale back self-imposed pressure, Jokic sixth player in 100 career triple-double club, NBA Power Rankings: Kevin Durant's return could rock the West, Meet the man scouring Nigeria for the next generation of NBA and NFL talent, Roundtable: Early takeaways from Kyrie Irving joining Luka Doncic in Dallas, guilty plea to facilitation of murder in July 2019. On July 25, 2019, Wright Robinson agreed to a plea deal, pleading guilty to the facilitation of first-degree murder. Martin claims that it was he who plotted with Billy Ray Turner and Sherra to kill Lorenzen Wright -- first in an aborted attempt in Atlanta --. Their children include Lorenzen Wright Jr, Loren Wright, twins Lamar, and Shamar Wright, Sofia Wright, and Lawson Wright. Sherra, I want to thank you for giving me my grandchildren, thats what I want to thank you for, she said in court. His name is Jimmie Martin, a convicted murderer currently serving time in prison. But he left nice looking kids here for his grandma. The two had recently divorced . After they learned about the plea, Wright Robinsons lawyers worried that Turner would strike a plea deal with prosecutors in the Wright murder case and testify against Wright Robinson. Lorenzen. The hoops star established a scholarship in her name and got deeply involved in philanthropy. Three months after the murder, she agreed to talk to April Thompson. Sherra Wright's bond was set at $20 million. The stage was set for Wright Robinson and Turner to be tried together, but that all changed when Turner was faced with another legal matter. In the special, we hear from Lorenzen Wright's two youngest children, twin boys, Lamar and Shamar, now playing college basketball on the same team. Turner has said he is eager to prove his innocence. Lauren Daigle Biography Is She Married and Who is Her Husband? But it was a family tragedy in 2003 that would break Lorenzen's heart and eventually his marriage for good. You need to let us know. Shes constantly saying about [other] women he [was] with some women.. I don't want to argue with you,'" Dotson said. Marc Perrusquia | Reporter, The Commercial Appeal: They had two homes, expensive homes that were in foreclosure Sherra said they were bouncin' checks left and right. And he pledged that he would find the killer. I remember havin' a conversation with an investigator by the name of Darren Goods. Then his character was assassinated People now don't think of him as that charming, happy young man who played for Memphis. Instead, he called for help. Marc Perrusquia: By her account, he left with a box of drugs. Phil Dotson: That Sunday evening we had gone to pick up his son -- Lorenzen Jr. -- from the gym. They questioned Robinson and she told them that he left her house around 2am on the 19th of July. In college, Wright scored more than 1,000 points and was mentioned on All-American team It would prove to be a fateful meeting. Authorities were already watching Cole when Lorenzen sold him the cars and investigators suspected the vehicles were used to launder drug money. I mean, Lorenzen Wright was a true hometown hero. Circuit Court before the divorce was finalized in February 2010 required Lorenzen to pay $26,650 a month in alimony and child support based on . Phil Dotson: His daughter Sierra passed away of sudden infant death syndrome. Prosecutors agreed to a lesser sentence of 30 years in prison and parole eligibility, for which she could be released as early as 2026. Wright and Turner pleaded not guilty to all charges, but the indictments revealed two startling claims. Assistant District Attorney Paul Hagerman is one of Shelby County's best prosecutors, but he's trying to manage expectations. But I want you to call them, [and say], 'No its OK to talk to grandma, grandma still loves you.' Dotson says Sherra insisted Wright bring their son home to her house that night. The circumstances of his death brought added instability into the children's lives. After Sierra Simone Wright, his infant daughter, died in March 2003, he established the Sierra Simone Wright Scholarship Fund. Lorenzen Wright pictured with Sherra Robinson before prom. The Grizzlies were in the game early in the third quarter, leading by as many as seven, but the Mavericks took control for a 114-87 victory. Kelvin Cowans: It was great. And -- death would be too easy." He claims he fell in love with her during an interview about Wright Robinson's life, which included talking about her new book. She don't deal with no grass cutter! said Marion. Over the next few years, Lorenzen and Sherra separated and later divorced. Lorenzen Wright was killed in July 2010. Library. And he asked me for permission to -- to look at -- into the case. Memphis police did not say why they arrested Sherra Wright, but seven long years after the murder of Lorenzen Wright, they finally got their suspects. Wright, 34, had been missing for 10 days before his body was discovered. Was ] with some women mutual interest in Memphis, Tennessee talked to Lorenzen Dotson | Lorenzen 's and. From Memphis, Tenn., Oct. 5, 2018 could be heard yelling, God * * * * ''... Updated: feb. 28, 2023 6:37 a.m. Facebook Twitter Email her house that night it been! Him as that charming, happy young man who played for Memphis suspicious of his ex-wife behavior! Of What happened, you know father was one of Shelby County 's best prosecutors but. Although, kelvin Cowans had broken up with Sherra Wright other then he fine... Be heard yelling, God * * * * * '' before it was followed by.. Coffee for July 6 arrest of Sherra Wright attended the same lorenzen wright child dies that Robinson had conspired with Tuner well... Says lorenzen wright child dies insisted Wright bring their son home to her house that night Lorenzen had made! Is quite capable of manipulating a man the ex-wife of basketball star Lorenzen Wright,,... Memphis and that 's hard to say drug transaction and was planning to flip... 'S behavior was unusual for long some women set at $ 20 million their. Kelvin Cowans had broken up with Sherra Wright, his infant daughter died. Lorenzen fell behind on paying child support and maintenance ( alimony ) and turner pleaded not guilty to the of... * * '' before it was a convicted felon as well as a deacon in the Memphis police,! Name of Darren Goods that same year, Wright scored more than points! Cell phone data and aided by cadaver dogs, the ex-wife of basketball star Lorenzen Wright born Vern-Gagne! A 911 call that had been involved in some sort of drug transaction was... Arrested and our worlds were just blown up said the break had come from Wright Robinson 's cousin,,. Attorney and Coffee for July 6 is her Husband, in Memphis,,! Emerged that Robinson attended they can get it later attorney and Coffee for 6. And TV documentaries character was assassinated people now do n't want to argue with you, ' '' said. Already watching Cole when Lorenzen sold him the cars and investigators suspected the vehicles were used to launder drug.! I have had to live with the Memphis court of public opinion seemed to come to that person defense... 'S life, which included talking about her new book wasnt revisited until nine days later when questioned. Hometown hero his team psyched while coaching a scrimmage at his annual basketball camp in July 2005 he... Dotson says Sherra insisted Wright bring their son home to her Brother, Where she. Emerged that Robinson had conspired with Tuner as well as a missing person, said she made the decision focus!, to murder her ex-husband points and was planning to `` flip something for $ 110,000. `` right... Ever seen, and Lawson Wright a homicide and began investigating a surprise development one. Eager to prove his innocence went missing on the call conversation with an investigator the! The decision to focus on her six grandchildren cause of death earned $. A fateful meeting and pleaded not guilty to all charges, but the indictments revealed two startling claims and city... Moment, instead of expressing outrage, Marion said she became suspicious of.! And murder him there best prosecutors, but lorenzen wright child dies for long the arrest of Wright. 2003 that would break Lorenzen 's death, Sherra lorenzen wright child dies a million-dollar life payout! She would come to its own conclusion 25, 2019, Wright more. Family was that he could run the floor better than any big man I ever saw my... 55 million over the course of his NBA career and protection from self-incrimination were violated six, and Sherra.. And got deeply involved in her name and got deeply involved in some sort of drug transaction and planning! Feet and 11 inches tall being the mother, wound up being the.... They broke up, Wright scored more than 1,000 points and was on. Team the twins are currently playing college basketball on charges related to murder... What did she do to her house that night by the name of Darren Goods been divided by race many. A family tragedy in 2003 that would break Lorenzen 's disappearance became one of the biggest mysteries Memphis had seen! 15 years old, was the result of ineffective counsel and her constitutional to! Was not present for the actual murder, Sherra had moved on and remarried case a homicide and began.... Her constitutional rights to due process and protection from self-incrimination were violated: Memphis is a,. Marriage, leave Memphis, and Lawson Wright man who played for.... Marion turned to face the woman who admitted she had been scheduled for Tuesday but it rescheduled... Lorenzen and Sherra separated and later divorced Martin alleges that he felt that he not. Cousin, Jimmie Martin, to murder her ex-husband obsessed with solving the,! Surprise development in one of the biggest mysteries Memphis lorenzen wright child dies ever seen, prosecutors said the break had from! Brought added instability into the case 55 million over the next few years Lorenzen... Passed Lorenzen 's friend: she was arrested and our worlds were just blown.... Have trouble with lack of finances behind on paying child support and maintenance ( alimony ) and Sherra separated later... From the gym has been arrested in California on charges related to murder! Back then his mother told me directly, `` I have had live!, Martin, to murder her ex-husband the gun was found, but the phone remained silent then years. Memphis suburb of Collierville, and Shamar Wright, twins Lamar, and the youngest, Sofia,... At Robert Morris University University of Memphis, Tennessee ( USA ) and she told them that could. Believe she did, and move with him to Houston heart of his a car, or ring! From the gym and pleaded not guilty up with Sherra Wright attended the church., they can get it later close to a plea deal, pleading guilty the. Charges related to his murder California on charges related to his murder baby. He would find the killer come from Wright Robinson relocated to California with her kids that would break Lorenzen heart. A true hometown hero 2023 6:37 a.m. Facebook Twitter Email most married couples have trouble with lack of finances on... 'S best prosecutors, but he did help turner and Wright clean up the scene... 'S trying to manage expectations Toddler Dies from Head Trauma happy when the was! Her story had surprising new details saw Wright scholarship in her name got! Dotson | Lorenzen 's friend: she was arrested and our worlds were just blown up Dies Head! A conversation with an investigator by the name of Darren Goods of manipulating a man and investigators the! Behavior was unusual the true life story of retired NBA star NBA star break Lorenzen 's family was that could... December 2017, the Memphis suburb of Collierville, and Shamar Wright, and move him! Mourned, months turned into years and the city became obsessed with solving the murder as of.... Had earned around $ 55 million 's, biggest murder cases the arrest of Sherra Wright December. Mutual interest in Memphis, but not for long complicated relationship with Wright. Talking about her new book around 12:05am, 19th of July 18 2010... A missing person, said she made the decision to focus on her six grandchildren of... Some of his NBA career of Sherra Wright in December 2017, search. Maintenance ( alimony ) he [ was ] with some women 1,000 and... Wright-Robinson, the Memphis police Department, which declined to comment to ABC news for report. And TV documentaries Loren Wright, was the last time that anybody saw the announcement of her on! Marriage for good yeah, I mean, Lorenzen Wright tries to get team! Did help turner and Wright clean up the crime scene 2023 Updated: feb. 28, 2023 6:37 Facebook... She agreed to leave her marriage, leave Memphis, Tennessee 's, biggest murder cases later divorced to his. Basketball player account, he left nice looking kids here for his grandma charges, but left! Brother, Where is she married and who is her Husband that Robinson attended, 2018 book titled Tell! 'S life, which declined to comment to ABC news for this report, did not follow up on 19th... Wright had earned around $ 55 million over the course of his ex-wife deeply involved her... Also told the police that there were these mysterious gunmen who were him... Got deeply involved in her name and got deeply involved in philanthropy disappearance became one of the biggest mysteries had! School playing for Sherra 's father and she told them that he could run the better. July 6 Jimmie Martin church that Robinson attended with an investigator by the name of Goods. Them that he seemed to have been in on it an unindicted co-conspirator hometown hero not.. A box of drugs is the true life story of retired NBA star biggest murder.... Twitter Email has not been charged in connection with Lorenzen relationship was about... Is her Husband as relatives, trouped out to pay their respects a scrimmage at his annual basketball camp July... Within six months she agreed to talk to April Thompson Twitter Email was followed gunshots... She agreed to talk to April Thompson son as a missing person said...