Rae Carruth and Cherica Adams: How a Former NFL Star Hired a Hitman to Murder His Pregnant Girlfriend

When we think of professional athletes, we often associate them with fame, success, and inspiring stories. 

However, a former NFL star, Rae Carruth had a different case.

Carruth, once a promising Carolina Panthers player, became infamous due to his involvement in the fatal shooting of his pregnant girlfriend, Cherica Adams.

This true crime story which happened in Charlotte, North Carolina, is a tale of betrayal, conspiracy, and a once-promising career brought to ruin. 

But how did this former NFL star become involved in such a chilling crime? 

Let’s get into it.

Cherica Adams

Who is Rae Carruth?

Rae Carruth was once a name celebrated in the world of sports. 

Born Rae Lamar Wiggins in Sacramento, California, he rose to prominence as a standout wide receiver for the University of Colorado. 

His success on the field led to his selection by the Carolina Panthers in the 1997 NFL draft.

This earned him a lucrative four-year contract worth nearly $4 million.

Despite his promising career, Rae Carruth's personal life was far from glamorous. 

By 1999, he was entangled in a turbulent relationship with a woman named Cherica Adams.

She was a 24-year-old real estate agent who was six months pregnant with his child at the time. 

However, Rae Carruth didn't want the child. 

He reportedly demanded an abortion from Cherica Adams but she insisted on having the baby.

This relationship, and Carruth's alleged desire to avoid paying child support, would set the stage for a chilling series of events that shocked Charlotte and the entire nation.

How Did Cherica Adams Die?

On the night of November 16, 1999, Cherica Adams, six months pregnant with Carruth’s child, was ambushed while driving through a suburban neighborhood in Charlotte

Cherica Adams was going home after a date with Carruth when another pulled up beside her.

She was shot four times by Van Brett Watkins, a hitman who was hired by Carruth. 

Despite her critical injuries, Adams managed to call 911.

She told dispatchers that Rae Carruth had stopped his car in front of hers, blocking her escape just before the shooting.

Adams was rushed to Carolinas Medical Center, where doctors performed an emergency cesarean section.

Thankfully her unborn son was saved and he was named Chancellor Lee Adams. 

Sadly, Cherica succumbed to her injuries on December 14, 1999, due to multiple organ failure caused by the gunshot wounds.

Rae Carruth

The Criminal Investigation into Cherica Adam's Murder

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department quickly turned their attention to Rae Carruth after Cherica’s 911 call. 

Their investigation revealed that Carruth had conspired with three men—Van Brett Watkins, Michael Kennedy, and Stanley Abraham—to kill Cherica

Carruth was arrested on November 25, 1999, for conspiracy to commit murder. 

However, he was released after he posted a $3 million bond.

But after Cherica’s death, the charges against him escalated to first-degree murder.

As a result, Rae Carruth fled the state violating the terms of his release. 

The FBI eventually captured him hiding in the trunk of a car in Wildersville, Tennessee, thanks to a tip from his mother.

His capture marked a critical moment in the criminal investigation, and he was extradited to Mecklenburg County to face trial.

Cherica Adams

Rae Carruth’s Trial and Sentencing

Rae Carruth’s trial began on October 23, 2000, in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, and lasted nearly three months.

Prosecutors argued that Carruth orchestrated the murder to avoid paying child support for Cherica’s baby.

The defense attorneys countered with claims of insufficient evidence and alleged that the shooting stemmed from a failed drug deal. 

Van Brett Watkins, who confessed to pulling the trigger, testified that Carruth orchestrated the murder. 

 He informed jurors that Carruth gave him $2,000 to attack his pregnant girlfriend, Cherica Adams. 

 The jury also heard from Carruth’s former girlfriends, who shared chilling accounts of his controlling and abusive behavior. 

Finally, the prosecution presented Cherica’s 911 call and handwritten notes from her hospital bed as evidence.

On January 19, 2001, after 11 weeks of trial, Carruth was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder, shooting into an occupied vehicle, and using a gun to attempt to kill an unborn child. 

However, he was acquitted of first-degree murder, sparing him the death penalty. 

Rae Carruth was sentenced to 18 to 24 years in prison.

Carruth served his time until his release on October 22, 2018. 

Despite his release, the shadow of his actions lingers, with many still grappling with the senseless loss of Cherica Adams.

Cherica Adams's son, Chancellor Lee Adams

The Aftermath

Rae Carruth’s co-conspirators also faced justice.

Van Brett Watkins, the shooter, was sentenced to 40 years and 8 months to 50 years and 8 months for the murder of Cherica Adams. 

Michael Kennedy, the getaway driver, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to nearly 12 years in prison.

Stanley Abraham pleaded guilty to lesser charges and spent 18 months in prison before being released in June 2001. 

Cherica Adams's son, Chancellor Lee Adams, who survived the attack, lives with cerebral palsy caused by the traumatic birth. 

Today, he thrives under the care of his grandmother, Saundra Adams, who has dedicated her life to keeping Cherica’s memory alive.

Watch Van Brett Watkins (the hitman) as he confesses to his role in the crime during an interview with A&E

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