Investigators claim Ellis broke into a Clovis home last week and stabbed his estranged wife to death. The suspect's family believes this all started when he found the victim having an affair.
Cantrell Ellis' brother Larnel told Action News, Ellis is not a cold blooded killer. Larnel didn't want to be on camera and said what happened in Clovis was totally out of Ellis' character. Larnel described his brother as, "A mellow, cool, calm, sweet guy who deeply loved his wife. It's a surprise to everyone that something like this could have happened."
But Larnel believed Cantrell caught his estranged wife, Charlotte Ellis, having an affair with a man who was also a long time friend of her husband.
According to investigators and court documents, a man named Sadan Scott was in the house, and assaulted before charlotte was murdered. Investigators said Cantrell used a kitchen knife to kill charlotte.
Larnel also said the couple experienced numerous marital problems over their 10-year marriage.
Charlotte's death is not the family's first brush with tragedy. In the summer of 2004, a large truck hit and killed the couple's 9-year-old boy. The boy was riding his bike. The family sued the company and settled the case for $2-million dollars.
Cantrell Ellis will be arraigned Tuesday afternoon. Action News tried to contact the victim's family but the calls have not been returned.
The suspect and victim have two children. They are both living with the suspect's family.
