MURDERED: Eric Nelams

It takes a special kind of person to graduate from Fort Benning’s Army Airborne school, and that’s exactly the kind of guy Eric Nelams was. He was a real-life G.I. Joe—a walking, talking action figure with infantry training who literally jumped out of helicopters and planes. Eric was an elite Army man and born leader that people throughout his life were instantly drawn to. And his older sister, Cathy, was his biggest fan. To this day she remembers Eric’s infectious smile, his charisma, and a magnetic personality that made fellow soldiers and friends want to be around him. Eric was truly the life of any party he attended.

But all of that changed in the early-morning hours of September 26th, 2003, when Eric was shot to death on his own carport. Riddled with bullets, Eric lay dying next to the big Ram Truck he loved so much. And as his wife Molly dialed 911, she tried to make sense of what had just happened. Who could have done such a thing to this brave, fun, and friendly man who served his country proudly? He was 32 years old and had so much more life to live. Why would anyone have any reason at all to murder Eric Nelams?

Photo of Eric

Photo of Eric with his stepdaughter Shuntavius, Son Antonio and Stepson Dartavuis

Photo of Eric

Eric and his mother

Photo of Eric

If you or someone you know have information about the murder of Eric Nelams, you can contact Alabama Crime Stoppers at 334-215-STOP or contact the Phenix City Police Department at 334-448-2800.

A fifteen-thousand-dollar reward is being offered for the arrest and conviction of Eric Nelams’ killer or killers.

Resources

• https://www.citizenofeastalabama.com/news/a-deep-hurt-the-eric-nelams-story/article_5ae254c8-4457-11ef-841d-430be96a66a3.html

• https://www.wtvm.com/2024/06/25/20-years-later-family-still-seeking-answers-phenix-city-cold-case/

• https://governor.alabama.gov/assets/2023/12/2023-12-15-Eric-Nelams-Reward-Proclamation.pdf

• https://www.wsfa.com/2023/12/21/phenix-city-police-search-answers-20-year-cold-case-cash-reward-offered/

• https://www.yahoo.com/news/20-years-later-alabama-army-213156644.html

• https://phenixcityal.gov/police-department/programs/crime-stoppers/

• https://www.vlm.cem.va.gov/ERICBERNARDNELAMS/DE2EF94

• https://media.ca11.uscourts.gov/opinions/unpub/files/200710383.pdf

• https://www.newspapers.com/image/861225502/?focus=0.044200268%2C0.4413195%2C0.21312955%2C0.9866894&xid=3355&_gl=1%2a1u5mqfr%2a_gcl_au%2aMTUyMjUwNDMxMi4xNzM3ODMyMjky%2a_ga%2aMjEwODE1NjExMC4xNzM3ODMyMjk0%2a_ga_4QT8FMEX30%2aNDIzNTljMGItZGVlYi00NDcxLWJiMzItNzAyZDNjZDAwMmIzLjEuMS4xNzM3ODMyOTc0LjMwLjAuMA..%2a_ga_LMK6K2LSJH%2aNDIzNTljMGItZGVlYi00NDcxLWJiMzItNzAyZDNjZDAwMmIzLjEuMS4xNzM3ODMyOTc1LjAuMC4w

• https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61049/records/12821073?tid=&pid=&queryId=96f4d2f3-9887-4af1-b8c9-d122fda8b6a8&usePUBJs=true

• https://seasonofjustice.org/featured/eric-nelams/

• https://phenixcityal.gov/police-department/programs/crime-stoppers/

• https://www.newspapers.com/image/676701735/?match=1&terms=%22eric%20nelams%22

• Gray, Haley; Interview with family

• https://irisinvestigativestrategies.com/

• https://projectcoldcase.org/2025/02/10/eric-nelams/ 

• https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/