How did Russel Douglas die? Here's why former beauty queen Peggy Sue Thomas lured friend's husband to death
When Russel Douglas went to meet Peggy Sue Thomas, it would be the final drive of his life. His wife's friend had invited him to a secluded spot on Whidbey Island, north of Seattle, Washington, the day after Christmas Day 2003 to supposedly give hand him a present for his wife. But Peggy Sue Thomas has other plans.
No one would see him alive after that. When police authorities would find him, he would be lying dead from a bullet wound in between the eyes.
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Was Russel Douglas an abusive husband?
When police got in touch with Douglas' wife Brenna, she told authorities that he made several nasty remarks that upset her. In addition to that, she had no qualms in telling the police that their marriage was on the rocks and that he was abusive, unfaithful and had multiple affairs.
She was the first suspect in the crime, considering her grievances with her husband. In addition to that, her salon was in debt and there was a life insurance policy that would have helped her out. But police couldn't link her to the crime. And soon the attention shifted to Peggy Sue Thomas who had made a call to him, asking him to meet her.
So what happened that night?
The then-32-year-old father of two was invited by Peggy Sue Thomas, his wife Brenna's friend, to give him a present intended for his wife.
An informant reached out to the police to tell them about Jim Huden's alleged involvement. The informant said that Huden had confided in him that he’d been abused by his step-dad as a child and that, with the help of Peggy, he’d shot Russel as some kind of revenge. According to several reports, there was apparently no evidence that Douglas actually mistreated his wife and family, and still, Huden shot him.
Police had theorized that she had lured Russel to the secluded spot to give him the gift while her lover James Jim Huden waited for him with a gun. When the police questioned him in August 2004, he said, "I'm no killer". Even a search for Peggy Sue Thomas' house did not turn up any evidence. Acting on, another tip-off, however, the police found the gun used in the killing of Douglas that Huden had reportedly stashed with a friend. But before any arrests, Huden went on the run. He fled to Mexico and Peggy married, separated a businessman.
In 2011, Huden was arrested and a month later, Peggy was. In the summer of 2012, when Huden faced trial, he reportedly refused to confess or testify against Peggy for a reduced sentence. And the prosecution was left hunting for a motive. They eventually suggested that Huden killed Russel in weird revenge for the abuse he had to endure as a child. Huden was found guilty of murder and sentenced to 80 years in prison.
According to many, Russel’s wife Brenna was part of the plot and had promised to divide that life insurance sum between Peggy and Jim. But no evidence ever came to light.
You can find out more about this twisted case when Lifetime premieres a new documentary, titled 'Beyond The Headlines: Beauty Queens Gone Bad', exclusively on Lifetime Movies on March 6, 2021, at 10 pm ET/PT.
