The Russian Investigative Committee has confirmed that Russell Bentley, an American journalist with Russian citizenship, was killed in the Petrovsky district of Donetsk.
Four Russian Soldiers Charged
Four Russian soldiers have been charged with his murder. Initially believed to have died on April 8 from Ukrainian shelling, the circumstances surrounding Bentley's death and the investigation are now under scrutiny.
Born in Austin, Texas, in 1960, Bentley served in the U.S. Army before pursuing various professions, including waitressing and logging. In the 1990s, he became an activist for the legalization of marijuana and even ran for the U.S. Senate.
However, his life took a dramatic turn after he saw images of war victims in Donbas in 2014. He traveled to Donetsk later that year, joined the Donetsk People's Republic militia, and served in the "Vostok" battalion until 2017, according to URA.
After leaving the military, he married a Russian language teacher and became a journalist covering the conflict for English-speaking audiences.
A Thorough Investigation
The investigation into Bentley's death has been thorough.
On April 9, the day after he went missing, his burnt-out car was discovered, prompting a criminal case. Over the following weeks, investigators gathered witness testimonies and examined security footage, mobile data, and ballistic evidence.
By April 20, several suspects had been identified, leading to their arrests.
The case has attracted significant attention, with calls for justice from Bentley's widow, Lyudmila, who has encountered obstacles in retrieving her husband’s remains for burial.
Dmitry Kiselev, head of the "Russia Today" media group, has emphasized the need for accountability in Bentley's murder, stressing the importance of a comprehensive investigation.
