Former Louisville pediatrician again accused of searching for hitman to kill ex-husband

Former Louisville pediatrician Stephanie Russell is now accused of asking a fellow inmate to find a hitman to kill her ex-husband after she pleaded guilty in federal court to stalking him and trying to hire a hitman, prosecutors claim in new court documents filed this week.

Russell, 53, previously ran the popular Kidz Life Pediatrics in Louisville's Norton Commons until agents arrested her at her office in May 2022, a day after a federal agent posed as a hitman and picked up $3,500 from Russell that was supposed to be a partial payment for the murder. Russell said to make the murder look like a suicide.

A judge awarded Russell's ex-husband custody of the children in January 2022.

The former physician, who pleaded guilty April 22 to the crimes against her former spouse amid a protracted custody battle over their two children, expected to get less time in prison for accepting responsibility.

While behind bars awaiting sentencing, Russell allegedly asked a fellow inmate to find a hitman and gave out her ex-husband's address and personal details, according to a sentencing memo filed this week by federal prosecutors.

"The evidence included a letter postmarked April 22, 2024, the date of Russell's guilty plea, sent by another pretrial detainee to her boyfriend at Russell's behest," prosecutors claim in their memo.

"Russell wanted to know if the boyfriend knew anyone who would be willing to kill her ex-husband."

Russell is awaiting a hearing before a federal judge, who is expected to sentence her on July 31.

Prosecutors are seeking a 12-year sentence in federal prison, where parole is not an option, which is the top of the range agreed to during the plea agreement. If the judge decides that a sentence of more than 12 years is appropriate, she can opt to back out of the plea deal.

Her attorney, Scott Cox, declined to comment Tuesday.

Staff writer Beth Warren can be reached at bwarren@courier-journal.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @BethWarrenCJ.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Former Louisville pediatrician again accused of searching for hitman to kill ex-husband