YORK COUNTY, S.C. (CN2 NEWS) – One year ago today, York County Sheriff officials say former NFL player, Phillip Adams shot and killed Dr. Robert Lesslie, Barbara Lesslie, and two of their grandchildren, Adah Lesslie and Noah Lesslie at Dr. Lesslie’s home on Marshall Road.
Two HVAC technicians from North Carolina, James Lewis and Robert Shook were also shot and killed while they were working at the home.
Authorities says Adams, 32 later took his own life at his parent’s house on Marshall Road.
In December of 2021 an autopsy revealed Adams had stage 2 CTE (chronic traumatic Encephalopathy), doctors say a brain disease caused by repetitive head trauma.
The York County Coroner’s Office worked with Boston University’s CTE Center on the study. Adams had stage 2 CTE, which doctors say was an advanced stage for his age.
A 20 plus year career playing football, and according to his family, sustaining several concussions and injuries, doctors say could have contributed to his actions.
It is still unknown why Adams went to the Lesslie’s home.
Today, one year later the Lesslie’s church, First ARP in Rock Hill is opening its doors for a time of prayer from 7 AM until 7 PM.
Everyone is invited to come inside and pray.
You can also donate to Adah’s Little Library and Noah’s Snack Shack. The two boxes are right outside the church.
The Lesslie’s provided a statement below on this one year anniversary.
It has been a year since our community came face to face with the unbelievable. In the minutes, days, and months since, our family has remained fixed on the eternal hope we have in Christ. The following statement that we shared after the event remains true to this day. It has helped to guide us deeper into fellowship with one another in love. As CS Lewis has said, “come further up, come further in.”
On behalf of the Lesslie, Alexander, and Kulbok clans, we would like to address the outpouring of heartbreak, shock, grief, and support from our family, friends, and community.
We are truly in the midst of the unimaginable. The losses we are suffering cannot be uttered at this time.
While we know there are no answers that will satisfy the question “why,” we are sure of one thing: we do not grieve as those without hope. Our hope is found in the promise of Jesus Christ, and we are enveloped by peace that surpasses all understanding. To that end, our hearts are bent toward forgiveness and peace. Toward love and connectedness. Toward celebration and unity. We honor all of those involved in this story with prayers and compassion specifically for the Shook family, the Lewis family, and the Adams family.
As Robert Lesslie would say, when peace like a river attendethmy way, when sorrows like sea billows roll, it is well with my soul.
If you would like to do something for the family,
Adah and Noah would want you to stock the free pantries and libraries in your community.
Barbara and Robert would want you to be good stewards of what you are given, leaving every place better than it was before you got there.
Adah, Noah, Barbara, Robert, and the rest of the family would ask any memorials or gifts to be sent to Camp Joy North Carolina (918 South Pleasantburg Dr., Greenville, SC 29607) in honor of hope and the promise of eternity.
-The Lesslie, Alexander, Kulbok, and Miller Families
April 8, 2021 and April 7, 2022
