Louisville pediatrician sentenced in attempted murder-for-hire of ex-husband
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A Louisville pediatrician has been sentenced in an attempted murder-for-hire of her ex-husband.
Stephanie Russell, 53, was sentenced Wednesday to 10 years on an attempted murder-for-hire charge and two years on an interstate stalking charge for a total sentence of 12 years, court records state.
In April, Russell pleaded guilty to two counts of a federal indictment charging her with using a facility in interstate commerce, or causing another person to travel in interstate commerce, in the attempted murder-for-hire of her ex-husband, as well as aiding and abetting interstate stalking of her ex-husband.
The case dates back to incidents that began in 2021.
According to court records, Russell owned and ran KidzLife Pediatrics in Norton Commons, in Louisville, Kentucky.
In July 2021, court records state during a custody battle with her ex-husband, Russell started to ask multiple KidzLife employees if they knew of someone that would kill him.
In the spring of 2022, court records state the FBI began an investigation into these incidents.
As part of this investigation, court records state a cooperating witness gave Russell a phone number that belonged to an undercover FBI special agent posing as a Chicago-based hitman.
Court records state Russell spoke over the phone with the agent several times, including a conversation where the agent offered to make the death of Russell’s ex-husband look like a suicide, to which Russell stated, “Yes, that would be amazing.”
Court records also state Russell agreed to pay $7,000, with half required upfront.
On May 18, 2022, Russell was seen on surveillance leaving $3,500 in a box outside of the pediatrician building for the undercover special agent, who drove to Louisville from Illinois and was videotaped as he picked up the money, court records state.
Russell was arrested the next day.
Russell’s term of imprisonment will be followed by three years of supervised release. In addition, Russell was ordered to pay a fine in the amount of $10,000.
The FBI investigated the case with assistance from the Louisville Metro Police Department.
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