Prescot Murder: Dad Dies Without Justice for Son’s Killing

Meta Title: Prescot Murder: Dad Dies Without Justice for Son’s Killing
Meta Description: Prescot murder case: Fred Ellison dies without knowing who killed his son Adam in 2017. Family pauses charity as police appeal for information.

Key Points

• 29-year-old Adam Ellison was stabbed in the neck in Prescot town centre around 3 November 2017
• Two men riding on a green and white Kawasaki KX 85 scrambler motorcycle committed the crime, with one of them stabbing him after words were said
• Even with multiple arrests and hundreds of investigations, nobody has been charged in relation to the murder
• Sadly, the father of the victim, Fred Ellison, passed away without learning who murdered his son according to ADAM Foundation
• The family has stopped all the activities of the charity foundation to mourn, but the police have revealed that individuals with crucial information have remained silent for too long
• Merseyside Police is still appealing for information through Crimestoppers and other ways

Prescot (Liverpool standard) September 11, 2026 – A father has died without ever learning who murdered his son in a knife attack in Prescot town centre nearly nine years ago. Adam Ellison, 29, was walking home with friends after a night out when he was stabbed in the neck by one of two men on a motorbike in the early hours of 4 November 2017. Despite extensive police investigations, numerous arrests and hundreds of lines of enquiry, no one has been charged. The ADAM Foundation, set up in Adam’s memory by his family, confirmed on Thursday that his father, Fred Ellison, has died.

What happened on the night of Adam Ellison’s murder?

Adam Ellison was on Market Place with friends after visiting a nearby pub when the attack occurred at around 12.40am. According to details reported by the Liverpool Echo, a green and white Kawasaki KX 85 Big Wheel scrambler bike carrying two men rode towards the group and came dangerously close to hitting them. Words were exchanged and, within moments, one of the men on the bike stabbed Adam in the neck with an unknown weapon. The riders then sped off towards Tesco on Sewell Street, leaving Adam bleeding in the street as horrified friends and passers-by rushed to help.

People nearby did everything they could to save him. Adam was taken to hospital, but despite doctors’ best efforts, he was pronounced dead shortly after 2am.

Who was Adam Ellison and what do his family say?

Since his death, Adam’s family have confirmed he had no involvement in crime or gang activity whatsoever, and it appears the tragedy followed a random encounter. They are still waiting for justice after the senseless murder. In statements shared through the ADAM Foundation, the family described Adam as a much-loved son and brother.

The foundation’s spokesperson said the family set up The ADAM Foundation in Adam’s memory to fight for justice and raise awareness about the consequences of knife crime.

What has the ADAM Foundation said about Fred Ellison’s death?

The charity announced on Thursday that Adam’s dad, Fred Ellison, had died. A statement released by a spokesperson for the charity said Fred was a “true gentleman” and the Ellison family have been left devastated by his death. A picture was released of Adam, his sisters Joanne and Nicola, Fred and his mum Joyce.

The statement said: “It’s with a heavy heart we share the sad news of the passing of the lovely Fred Ellison. Fred was a loving father to Adam, Nicola and Joanne as well as a loving husband to Joyce and a devoted grandad to his beautiful grandchildren. His family loved him dearly and he was a great friend to many. For those of you who didn’t have the honour of knowing Fred, he was a true gentleman just like his son, Adam.”

What is the future of The ADAM Foundation?

The charity’s work has been put on hold following Fred’s death. The spokesperson said: “As you can imagine, his family are devastated by his loss and understandably have made the hard decision to pause The ADAM Foundation so they can take some much needed time to grieve the loss of Fred as well as still grieving for Adam and take some time to reflect. They have been through a great deal as a family over the last eight years since the tragic loss of Adam including Fred himself, so their decision is very much the right one for them and we support them every step of the way and I’m sure you all will too.”

The statement continued:

“We thank you all for the support you have given the ADAM foundation and his family, it’s meant a great deal to them all. For now, it’s time for them to grieve. To Fred, it’s now time for you to rest. It was an honour for us all to have known you and you were quite simply the best. Despite missing you terribly, I know your girls, grandchildren and family will take some comfort in knowing you will now be reunited with your loving son, Adam and take care of him until you all meet again one day. You will be missed dearly. Our thoughts and love are with Joyce, Nicola, Joanne and family during this sad time, we love you all and here for you always. Rest peacefully Fred.”

More than 250 messages of support to the family were left in the comments section of the Facebook post. One woman said:

“It was an honour to have known you Fred, you will be missed dearly. I’m sure you will be catching up with your Adam and all the hugs of his you have missed over the last eight years. Reunited again – hugs to you and give Adam a hug from us too. Keep close to your girls and grandchildren and give them much needed strength. Rest peacefully Fred, love always.”

A man said: “So very sad. Fred was one of the nicest people you could wish to meet as is Joyce and his devoted family. Sending love and hugs to Fred’s family. RIP Fred, lovely man.” Another woman said:

“So very sorry to hear this sad news. RIP Fred, a true gentleman. Thinking of you all knowing Fred will be back in the arms of your loving Adam.”

What have police said about the ongoing murder investigation?

In an appeal for information on the eighth anniversary of Adam’s murder last November, Detective Chief Inspector Cath Cummings said:

“The investigation into Adam’s murder remains ongoing and our thoughts are with his family as we know the anniversary is a painful and difficult time for them. Eight years is a long time for them to not have justice for their loss, but the investigation team remains as committed as ever to finding those responsible and bringing them to justice.”

DCI Cummings added:

“People in the community who we know have vital information have stayed silent for too long and now is the time for them to step up and give the family the answers they deserve. If you don’t want to speak to the police then you can pass on information anonymously via Crimestoppers but please don’t let those who are responsible for Adam’s death continue to walk free.”

Anyone with information about Adam’s murder can contact Merseyside Police’s social media desk @MerPolCC on X and Facebook. Information can also be reported via the website or by calling 101. Alternatively, people can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website. With Crimestoppers, computer IP addresses are never traced and no-one will ever know you contacted them. For telephone calls, there is no caller line display, no 1471 facility and calls have never been traced.

Background to the Prescot murder case and the ADAM Foundation

Adam Ellison’s killing in November 2017 sparked a major police investigation in Prescot, with officers conducting numerous arrests and pursuing hundreds of lines of enquiry over the years. The attack occurred in the town centre after a night out, and the family have consistently maintained that Adam had no links to crime or gangs, describing the incident as a random, senseless act of violence. In the years since, the family established The ADAM Foundation to campaign for justice, support victims of knife crime and raise awareness of its consequences. The foundation’s work included public appeals, community engagement and sharing Adam’s story to highlight the human cost of knife violence. Fred Ellison, Adam’s father, became a prominent figure in these efforts, often speaking publicly about the need for witnesses to come forward.

Prediction: How this development may affect families and communities in Merseyside

Fred Ellison’s death without seeing justice for his son’s murder is likely to deepen the sense of frustration among families affected by unresolved violent crimes in Merseyside. For communities in Prescot and across the region, the case underscores the emotional toll of long-running investigations where no charges are brought, potentially eroding trust in the justice process. The pause in The ADAM Foundation’s activities may also reduce the visibility of anti-knife crime advocacy at a time when such voices are often crucial in encouraging witnesses to speak. Police appeals emphasising anonymous reporting via Crimestoppers may gain renewed attention, but without new information, the risk is that similar cases remain unsolved, leaving families without closure and communities without the reassurance that perpetrators are being held to account.