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Are clues to Middletown mom's killing in jail?

Posted at 7:08 PM, Feb 15, 2016
and last updated 2016-02-16 12:53:56-05

MIDDLETOWN, Ohio – If there's a break coming in the fatal shooting of a 29-year-old Middletown mom, it might come from jail.

Dayton police are holding a man on drug charges after they picked him up in the Brittany Russell investigation. Russell, a heroin addict, was found shot to death in Dayton last week with her 6-month-old daughter in the backseat.

Dayton homicide detectives aren't saying what the unnamed 37-year-old man told them – if anything – or how he might be involved. They said he was arrested when they found drugs on him during his interview.

Dayton police have said Russell's death was a homicide and they have been investigating Russell's cell phone records and interviewing a host of people to try to find out what happened. But they had little to add in a release Monday.

"At this point, numerous interviews have been completed as detectives gather evidence and remain focused on determining and finding who is responsible for Ms. Russell's death," they said.

Meanwhile, police in both Dayton and Middletown are continuing their investigation. Russell took her child from the girl's father's home without notifying him and was found dead the next day.

"We're still interviewing people back and forth but we are getting information from people in the area," said Dayton Lt. Andrew Booher.

A Russell friend and former neighbor, Jody Sheeks, told WCPO she's anxious for police to make an arrest.

"I thank God that the baby was 6 months old because if it was older then it would be traumatized for the rest of it's life," Sheeks said.

"I pray that we get justice for her. She was a good mother. She deserves justice."

Russell's family will hold her services Wednesday at Herr-Riggs Funeral Home in Middletown.