Rae Carruth's son to celebrate late mother's birthday in Charleston

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Tuesday would have been Cherica Adams’ 40th birthday.

The pregnant mother was killed in a murder plot orchestrated by former Carolina Panthers wide receiver Rae Carruth in 1999.

Prosecutors argued that Cherica Adams was killed because Carruth wanted her to abort their son, something Carruth denies.

Cherica Adams’ son Chancellor Lee Adams was delivered via emergency C-section before she died.

Chancellor Lee Adams is being raised by his grandmother, Cherica Adams' mother, Saundra Adams.

Channel 9 anchor Erica Bryant caught up with Saundra Adams by phone and she said that Cherica Adams always liked celebrating birthdays.

Cherica Adams was planning a big 25th birthday celebration for herself just before she was killed.

Saundra Adams told Bryant that she and Chancellor Lee Adams will celebrate what would have been Cherica Adams' 40th birthday Tuesday in Charleston, South Carolina to pay tribute to the nine victims killed in the shooting at Emanuel AME Church.

"We have many friends in Charleston," Saundra Adams said. "We plan to visit with survivors and relatives of the victims, and hopefully we can try to be of some support and comfort to them."

Carruth is still serving his 19-year prison sentence, with an expected release in 2018.

When Carruth is free, Saundra Adams wants him to be part of Chancellor Lee Adams' life.

READ OUR PAST COVERAGE:

• Nov. 12, 2014: 15 years later: Rae Carruth's teenage son 
• July 20, 2011:   Driver in Carruth murder case released from prison 
• May 25, 2011:   Ex-Panther's Son Moving Forward After Mother's Murder
• February 16, 2011: Appeals Court Rejects New Trial For Former Panthers Player Carruth 
• February 15, 2011:  Appeals court rejects new trial for former Panther
• October 6, 2010: Former Panthers Player Carruth Appeals Conviction
• March 21, 2005: Ex-Panther Loses Bid To Get New Trial
• March 10, 2005: Rae Carruth And Mother Visit In Jail
• March 10, 2005: Former Carolina Panther Wants New Trial
• March 10, 2005: Rae Carruth Returns To Mecklenburg County Court This Morning
• May 11, 2004: Theodry Carruth Denied Visitation Rights For Grandson
• February 5, 2003: Van Brett Watkins: A Killer Speaks Out

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