CINCINNATI (Feb. 22, 2011) –Investigators suspended their search for evidence relating to
missing persons Richard and Gladis Russell of Bellefontaine, Ohio at approximately 3 p.m.
today at Rumpke Sanitary Landfill in Colerain Township near Cincinnati.
Investigators told Rumpke officials they are suspending the search until interviews with a
suspect can be conducted. Rumpke has secured the search area until it is confirmed that a
search of the landfill is not necessary.
Officials from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI&I) spent
approximately 5 hours on Monday and 7 hours on Tuesday searching a one acre area of
Rumpke Sanitary Landfill. They were looking for physical evidence from waste containers
located at the rest stop off of Interstate 75 in Butler County. The rest stop is the last place the
Russell’s car was seen late on Feb. 16.
“We are standing by to assist if necessary. Right now we join others in hoping any and all leads
will offer clues to help investigators solve the case,” said Amanda Pratt, director of corporate
communications at Rumpke.
The Russells disappeared from their home in Bellefontaine on Feb. 16. The investigation team
contacted Rumpke on Saturday and Rumpke began preparing the search area. The search
began at about 10 a.m. on Monday.
Rumpke Sanitary Landfill opened in Colerain Township in 1945. The 444 acre site is the primary
disposal facility for Greater Cincinnati’s waste. The 24-7 operation accepts waste from a 60 mile
radius. Daily the landfill receives an average of 7,000 tons of trash. The landfill is the largest
landfill in the state of Ohio and is the sixth largest landfill in the country.
Rumpke Consolidated Companies, Inc. has been committed to keeping neighborhoods and
businesses clean and green since 1932 by providing environmentally friendly waste disposal
solutions. Headquartered in Colerain Township, Ohio, Rumpke is one of the nation’s largest
privately owned residential and commercial waste and recycling firms, providing service to
areas of Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and West Virginia. Rumpke divisions include Rumpke
Recycling, Rumpke Portable Restrooms, The William-Thomas Group, Rumpke Hydraulics,
Rumpke Haul-it-Away and Rumpke Park. Please visit www.rumpke.com for more information.
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