In a deeply unsettling and tragic event, 29-year-old Richard Russell, a ground service worker at Horizon Air, shocked the world when he stole an empty passenger plane from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in August 2018. What began as a seemingly harmless act of defiance quickly escalated into a heart-stopping situation that captivated global audiences. Richard, who had no formal pilot training, commandeered the aircraft and performed daring aerial maneuvers before crashing it into Ketron Island, ending his life in a tragic display of despair.
Richard Russell, known to his friends and family as a kind and gentle soul, was far from the typical criminal. He had worked for Horizon Air for years, and those who knew him described him as a hard-working, friendly, and well-liked individual. But beneath his easygoing exterior, Richard struggled with deep-seated depression, a battle that he kept largely hidden from those around him.
His decision to steal the plane was not premeditated, according to those who knew him. Rather, it was an impulsive act driven by overwhelming emotional pain.
The article is not finished. Click on the next page to continue.
The article is not finished. Click on the next page to continue.
Next page
