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Russell Rugh

Case from Garden Grove, CA dated Mar 21, 1980

Victim Details

Russell Rugh

Male

White / Caucasian

Garden Grove

CA

1980-03-21

15

Russell

Rugh

07/18/2026

Case Description

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Russell Duane Rugh, a 15-year-old Caucasian male, was tragically murdered on March 21, 1980. Born on March 18, 1965, in Garden Grove, Orange County, California, Russell was abducted while waiting for a bus to take him to his fast-food job. He was bound, beaten, and strangled to death after an estimated eight hours of captivity. His body was discarded alongside that of another victim, Glenn Barker, in Cleveland National Forest, close to the Ortega Highway. Both bodies were discovered on March 23, ...
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Links to Additional Sources (12)

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  • Executed Inmate Summary - William George Bonin - CDCR - CA.gov
  • The mothers of three of four teenage youths slain... - UPI Archives
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    Forum Posts (3)

    Hey everyone,
    I've been reading about the tragic case of Russell Rugh and something that struck m... ...Read More
    02/04/2025
    I recently learned more about Russell Rugh, and it’s truly tough to come to terms with what happen... ...Read More
    10/24/2024
    I recently came across an interesting angle in the tragic case of Russell Duane Rugh that I hadn’t... ...Read More
    01/07/2023
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