Murder-Suicide

Clermont County, Ohio

On Monday, May 25, 2009 at approx. 240 p.m. the Clermont County Emergency Communications Center received a call from a Teresa Centers and her husband Earl Frank Centers.  The Centers reported that they were attempting to visit Kurt and Debbie Russell at the Russell residence,  3830 Happy Hollow Road, Bethel, Ohio.  When they looked through a glass door at the residence they observed a gun and blood on the floor.

Clermont County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched and upon arrival forced entry into the home where they discovered two bodies in the master bedroom,  Kurt Russell M/W/41 and Debbie Russell F/W/44, husband and wife.  This appears to be a murder suicide since there was no evidence of a struggle or forced entry into the residence.  It is believed that Kurt Russell shot his wife while she was in bed in their master bedroom.  After shooting her he then went into the living room, sat down in a chair, and then shot himself.  A .357 caliber pistol was found laying on the floor near where he was seated.   A hole in the ceiling believed to be a bullet hole was observed above the chair.  Once Kurt Russell shot himself, it appears he did not die instantly.   Blood evidence suggests he walked to the kitchen and then back into the master bedroom before collapsing on the floor and dying next to the bed. 

The Russells were married approx 6 years.  Debbie reportedly just came back from deployment to Iraq, having joined the Navy at age 40.  The couple was last seen together Sunday around midnight at the American Legion Post located in Williamsburg where they were active.