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97.1 The Eagle/Dallas Afternoon Host Russ Martin Found Dead


Russ Martin
Russ Martin

Sad news out of Dallas-Fort Worth as 97.1 The Eagle afternoon host Russ Martin was found dead inside of his Frisco home a little after midnight Saturday according to the Frisco police department. Martin was 60-years-old. The cause of his death wasn't known as of Saturday, but police said no foul play is suspected.

Officers responded to an unresponsive person call around 12:30 a.m. after a friend of Martin's had to come to check on him. Officers found him unresponsive and pronounced him dead.

Martin worked in the Dallas-Fort Worth radio market for 31 years and previously hosted the No. 1-rated The Russ Martin Show on KLLI Live 105.3 until Dec. 8, 2008, when KLLI switched to an all-sports format. On July 12, 2010, Martin returned to radio with his afternoon (3p-7p) show on KEGL 97.1 The Eagle.

A Facebook post from The Russ Martin Show asked people to tune it at 1 p.m. Saturday, saying, "It's important." The comments section is filled with hundreds of tribute to the radio host, many from people saying they've been listening to him since they were kids.

Frisco police and the Collin County Medical Examiner's Office are investigating his death. No other updates would be released on Saturday, police said. Police are asking anyone with information on the death to call the department at 972-292-6010 or send an anonymous tip by texting FRISCOPD and the tip to 847411 (tip411).

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