Dave Manby wrote in message ...
I heard a rumour that Russell died in an auto wreck - is this true?

Dave,

Cut & pasted from an internet source:

Kelly died on Aug. 9 in a single-vehicle accident. His pickup truck
left the highway between Big Sky and West Yellowstone, Mont., and
rolled down a steep embankment. Kelly was trapped inside and died
before rescuers could arrive. He was 29.