In the unfolding saga of the trial against presumed kidnapper and rapist, details have emerged connecting him with the case of a woman who disappeared.
Krystal Russell’s name surfaced in the investigation involving Richard Robert Mantha, the alleged perpetrator. The 39-year-old woman, a resident of Calgary who adopted the alias “Trustice” for her work in the sex trade, was last in contact with her family on December 22, 2022. Her mother reported her missing nine days later.
Mantha, a 59-year-old also known by his pseudonym “Poncho”, stands accused of a series of horrific crimes, including drugging, choking, holding his victims at gunpoint, rape, and even stabbing. He targeted women in the sex trade, luring them to a property in Rocky View County, Alberta, which housed a Quonset hut.
The litany of charges levelled against Mantha includes kidnapping, forcible confinement, sexual assault with and without a weapon, causing bodily harm, and administering a noxious substance. These allegations have yet to be proven in a court of law.
It was following the cordoning off of the previously mentioned property near Calgary that Mantha was charged. Cadaver dogs were brought in for a detailed search, but no remains were discovered.
Newly accessible court documents reveal further unsettling connections. Other sex workers claim that Russell had been associated with Mantha, adding credibility to their shared suspicion that Mantha may have murdered other women. These damning accusations, however, remain unverified.
Mantha reportedly had a chilling way with words, boasting to fellow sex workers about the “shallow graves” on his property and his knowledge of body disposal.
Russell’s last known location was her residence in southeast Calgary, from which she departed on December 31, 2022. She was on her way to the 19th Avenue Forest Lawn stroll. The last person to talk to Russell was her grandmother, who had agreed to give her $450 for rent. Russell was supposed to pick up the money later that night or the following morning, but she never did.
Since then, all contact with her ceased, a deviation from her usual behavior that alarmed her family. Police have found no trace of her. Even at her home, nothing has been disturbed, as if she expected to return.
The authorities have appealed to the public for any assistance, including media coverage. The police suspect that Russell is no longer alive, but they lack substantial evidence to point towards murder.
In a bid to uncover the truth, cadaver dogs were employed to explore Mantha’s property, but no bodies were found.
News of the intricate court proceedings has surfaced as numerous media outlets, including CTV News Calgary, petitioned for access to documents related to the issued search warrant in April.
Mantha’s trial date is approaching, with the proceedings expected to be conducted in French. His defence attorney is fluent in French and recently, a new Crown prosecutor has been appointed.
Krystal Russell’s case, however, remains open. Any individual with useful information pertaining to her disappearance can reach out to the police at 403-266-1234. She stands approximately 5’6″ tall, weighs about 150 pounds, has a medium build, brown eyes, brown hair highlighted with blue and purple, a piercing in her septum, and distinct tattoos of a jester on her leg and angel wings on her back.
