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Murder charge filed in Middletown mom's death

Posted at 4:42 PM, Mar 04, 2016
and last updated 2016-03-04 20:31:28-05

DAYTON, Ohio — A Dayton man is facing murder charges in connection with the shooting death of a Middletown mom last month.

Montgomery County Prosecuting Attorney Mat Heck, Jr. approved one count of aggravated murder and one count of endangering children, among other charges, for Curtis Howard Burdette, 37, in connection with the shooting death of Brittany Russell.

Russell, 29, was found shot to death in a parked car Feb. 10 in Dayton. Her 6-month-old daughter was in the backseat, unharmed.

Brittany's father, Billy, told WCPO that the charge brings a little relief, but also thinks there are other suspects to be found.

"I'd like to see the next one get charged, and if there's anybody else involved, them get caught too and prosecuted," he said. "That way we can move on and finish mourning, 'cause sleepless nights.

"It's been on me since the day of her murder."

Billy said the last month has been a rollercoaster ride of emotions for him and other loved ones.

"This is like an up and down rollercoaster," he said, "don't know whether to throw your hands up or grab your stomach."

Dayton authorities said at the time of the shooting they didn't think robbery was a motive because of items found with Brittany and her daughter.

Burdette was already in custody in the Montgomery County Jail on an unrelated drug charge when 

WCPO will update this story as more information becomes available.