After serving nearly two decades behind bars for the conspired murder of his then-girlfriend, Rae Carruth now lives in his home state of California.
Once a well-regarded NFL player, Rae ruined his entire reputation after committing the horrific crime back in the 2000s.
The murder news has now again gained attention with the death of Van Brett Watkins (died on December 3, 2023), the alleged hitman tied to the murder of the ex-NFLer’s girlfriend.
A former footballer, Rae Carruth, spent over three seasons playing in the National Football League (NFL).
After his high school career at Valley High School, the wide receiver committed to play football at the University of Colorado Boulder.
Rae achieved notable honors during his collegiate years, including the prestigious first-team All-American title.
Drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the first round of the 1997 NFL Draft, he had a short-lived career, playing in the NFL until 1999.
The rookie had a respectable first season, starting 14 games for the team and clinching the PFWA All-Rookie Team title.
However, Rae endured a season-ending injury the following season and a conviction that ended his career.
Where Is Rae Carruth Now? Life After Prison Time
In 2001, the jury pronounced Rae Carruth guilty of the 1999 fatal shooting of his girlfriend, Cherica Adams. Cherica was pregnant with Carruth’s son at the time of the murder.
While at the prison, he earned a barber’s certification, working for $1 per hour.
In 2018, Rae sent a letter apologizing to Chreica Adams’ mother Saundra Adams via WBTV, for accusing her of lying and murdering her daughter.
He also expressed his intent to meet his son, Chancellor Lee Adams, who lives with Saundra.
Likewise, Rae sent several thousand dollars to his son through the Mecklenburg County Court System as a generous act.
Serving nearly 19 years in North Carolina prison, Rae Carruth was released on October 22, 2018.
He then moved to Pennsylvania for a fresh start, where he lived with a friend.
Undertaking a job, he worked from home and didn’t leave the house much often.
Based on the facts online, Rae now, 50, lives in his home state of California, practicing the job.
While the player hasn’t met his son yet, he might reconnect with him soon.
Murder Trial and Guilty Verdict
On November 16, 1999, Rae Carruth executed a plot to have his pregnant girlfriend, Cherica Adams, murdered.
He conspired to kill his girlfriend as he didn’t want to have a child and pay for the child support.
Cherica was shot four times in a drive-by ambush on a South Charlotte road by Van Brett Watkins, a hitman hired by Rae.
Somehow, Cherica managed to call 911 and later was taken to the hospital, where she fell into a coma.
Although she eventually died of her injuries, her son Chancellor was born via an emergency cesarean section.
However, Chancellor now deals with cerebral palsy and permanent brain damage caused by the traumatic circumstances of his birth.
After the crime, Rae fled to Tennessee with a female friend, but later, the police captured him.
He went on trial for murder in 2000, and the court pronounced him guilty of second-degree murder and other charges.
The jury sentenced him to 18 years and 11 months to 24 years and four months in prison; he got out in 2018.
