In the quiet, early morning hours of February 14, 2002, Costas 'Gus' Christofi, a 55-year-old male limousine driver, was fatally shot in the chest in Alexandria Township, New Jersey. The incident occurred inside the master bedroom of the sprawling 65-acre estate belonging to former NBA star Jayson Williams. Christofi had been hired to drive Williams and a group of his friends, including some Harlem Globetrotters, from a charity function. After dinner, Williams invited the group to his home.
Initially, Christofi's death was reported as a suicide. However, the medical examiner later ruled the death a homicide, determining that Christofi had died from a shotgun wound inflicted at 'intermediate range'. The investigation into the shooting revealed a more complex and troubling story.
According to reports, Williams had been giving a tour of his home and was handling a shotgun in his bedroom when the weapon discharged, striking Christofi.
Following the shooting, there were allegations of a cover-up. It was reported that Williams initially tried to make it appear as though Christofi had taken his own life. The investigation led to former NBA player Jayson Williams being charged with manslaughter in connection with Christofi's death. He surrendered to police on February 25, 2002. Prosecutors argued that Williams's handling of the shotgun was reckless, leading to the fatal accident. The case drew significant media attention, focusing on the tragic and unexpected death of a man who was simply doing his job.
