Family of 29 y.o man, Richard Russell who stole & crashed Alaska Airlines plane speaks out

Family members of the 29-year-old man who died Friday after hijacking an empty passenger plane at Seattle Tacoma International Airport say they are in “complete shock.”

In a statement late Saturday, the family said through a spokesman that it is “stunned and heartbroken” by the death of Richard Russell, who is described as a “faithful husband, a loving son, and a good friend.” Russell, a ground service agent for Horizon Air, sparked panic late Friday when he took off in a 76-seat turboprop plane and appeared to take it for a joy ride, prompting the military to scramble F15s in pursuit. Authorities later said he appeared to be suicidal, and in audio recordings of his interactions with air traffic controllers, Russell described himself as a “broken guy” with “a few screws loose.” His family, who affectionately referred to him as Beebo in their statement, said his “intent was not to harm anyone.” “It may seem difficult for those watching at home to believe, but Beebo was a warm, compassionate man. It is impossible to encompass who he was in a press release.”

Stolen Alaska Airlines plane that halted air traffic in Seattle crashes with only rogue pilot on board.