Russ Martin, Dallas-Fort Well worth radio exhibit host, located dead in his house, police say

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Frisco police are investigating the death of very long-time North Texas radio exhibit host Russ Martin following his physique was uncovered in his home early Saturday.

Officers have been dispatched about 12:30 a.m. Saturday to the 6300 block of Douglas Avenue, around Lebanon Street and the Dallas North Tollway, following a good friend of Martin’s who had arrive to look at on him found him unresponsive, law enforcement claimed.

Martin was pronounced useless at the scene, police mentioned. The induce of loss of life experienced not been determined, but police reported foul perform was not suspected. Anybody with data about the incident is asked to get in touch with Frisco police at 972-292-6010.

Martin was host of The Russ Martin Present on “The Eagle” KEGL-FM (97.1).

“It’s with hefty hearts that we announce the passing of 97.1 The Eagle’s Russ Martin,” the station said in a composed statement. “He will be dearly skipped & we mail our deepest condolences to his family members & pals all through this tough time.”

The station’s common programming was interrupted Saturday afternoon to give Martin’s colleagues an opportunity to talk about the information as nicely as Martin’s everyday living and his job.

“Our pal is absent,” mentioned Dan O’Malley. “We’re all nevertheless processing this.”

An emotional Clo Raborn, who was section of Martin’s present, claimed he had rarely slept because he experienced discovered Martin experienced died.

“I want there was a thing we could say to make it far better,” Raborn instructed listeners.

Through their impromptu software Saturday, Martin’s colleagues thanked the Grapevine Law enforcement Section for their enable in acquiring and notifying Martin’s mom. They also thanked Frisco police for their guidance throughout the morning.

Martin’s colleagues claimed the station would prepare a appropriate tribute to Martin in the coming times. They wrapped up an hour of programming by creating a toast to Martin.

Martin’s co-hosts explained that even though Martin experienced confronted some own struggles, he had labored challenging to do superior in the group through his program’s basis. After a 2016 taking pictures that remaining 5 law enforcement officers dead, Martin’s The Russ Martin Display Listeners Foundation lifted up to $40,000 that was donated to the people of the slain officers.

O’Malley reported Martin experienced recently donated $40,000 to the widow of Mitchell Penton, a Dallas law enforcement officer who was killed in the line of duty earlier this month.

“I want you to know that” O’Malley advised listeners, describing the donation as a single of Martin’s last functions just before his demise. “Despite all the things he was heading by, he managed to decide up a pen and indication the check.”

In a tweet, the Fort Worth Law enforcement Officers’ Association available prayers to Martin’s loved ones and colleagues.

“We will usually keep in mind his generosity and assist of fallen police officers and their households,” the affiliation claimed in a tweet.

Jeff Kovarsky, spot radio host and Dallas Stars PA announcer, also lamented Martin’s loss of life on Twitter.

“I got to know Russ the previous ten years at iHM Dallas,” Kovarsky mentioned in a tweet, referencing iHeartMedia. “His Listener Foundation did remarkable operate supporting family members of fallen heroes. He usually taken care of me with kindness and regard.”

In September 2008, a Tarrant County grand jury issued a misdemeanor assault complaint against Martin right after his arrest two months before on suspicion of hitting his fiancé and brandishing a gun at their property in Southlake. The grand jurors declined to arrest him on much more critical grievances.

Martin was robbed at gunpoint in 2015 when 3 armed males wearing masks confronted him as he arrived at his Frisco property.

The adult males duct-taped Martin to a chair and held him at gunpoint though they confiscated valuables, including many firearms. They fled in his 2010 Dodge Challenger, police said.

These concerned in the heist were handed sentences ranging from just beneath 12 a long time to 62 a long time in prison.