The Widow's New Chapter: Who Was Richard 'Beebo' Russell's Wife Now?

The question of who was Richard 'Beebo' Russell's wife now is a sensitive one, inextricably linked to the tragic and globally publicized air incident of 2018. Richard Russell, known to the world as the "Sky King" after he stole and crashed a Bombardier Q400 plane from Sea-Tac Airport, passed away on August 10, 2018, making his wife, Hannah Russell, his widow. This article, updated for late 2025, looks into the life of the man behind the tragedy and provides the latest available public information about his former wife, Hannah Stracener Russell, and her life in the years following the devastating event.

The story of Richard and Hannah was, for years, one of a loving, adventurous young couple building a life together in the Pacific Northwest. Their shared journey and the sudden, shocking end to Richard's life at the age of 28 left behind a complex legacy of grief and unanswered questions, especially for the woman who was his wife and business partner. The privacy she has maintained in the years since speaks volumes about her desire to move forward from a public tragedy.

The Life and Times of Richard 'Beebo' Russell: A Biographical Profile

Richard Bryan Russell, affectionately nicknamed "Beebo" by his family, was a complex individual whose life was largely defined by his kindness and his shocking final act. His biography paints a picture of a man who was, by all accounts, a devoted husband and a gentle soul.

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• Full Name: Richard Bryan Russell
• Nickname: "Beebo," later referred to as "The Sky King"
• Born: September 19, 1989, in Key West, Florida, US
• Childhood: Moved to Wasilla, Alaska, at age seven and spent most of his childhood there.
• Education: Attended Southwestern Oregon Community College in Coos Bay, Oregon, where he met his future wife.
• Marriage: Married Hannah Stracener in 2011/2012.
• Career: Worked as a Horizon Air ground service agent, a job that allowed him to travel and visit family in Alaska. He was responsible for loading baggage, towing aircraft, and de-icing. He and Hannah also previously owned and operated a bakery in Oregon.
• Residence: Lived in Sumner, Washington, with his wife, Hannah.
• Death: August 10, 2018, at the age of 28, when the stolen Horizon Air Bombardier Q400 he was piloting crashed on Ketron Island, Washington.

Hannah Stracener Russell: The Wife and Business Partner

Richard Russell's life was deeply intertwined with his wife, Hannah Stracener Russell. They met while attending college in Oregon, and their relationship quickly blossomed. They shared a strong bond, often described in his own writings as a deep, tender adoration.

The couple was known for their entrepreneurial spirit and shared adventures. In their early twenties, they co-founded a bakery in their local community in Oregon. This venture highlighted their shared determination and partnership. Richard's later job at Horizon Air was partly motivated by their desire to move closer to Hannah's family and to support his own passion for travel and aviation.

In the aftermath of the 2018 incident, the family released a statement describing Richard as a "faithful husband," and his obituary noted that his greatest joys were his love for Christ and his "tender adoration of his wife, Hannah." The public nature of the tragedy meant that Hannah was thrust into a global spotlight during her deepest moment of grief. She was described by friends as a "kind, patient, loyal, encouraging friend and sister-in-Christ."

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A support fund was immediately organized by friends and family to help Hannah navigate the sudden and devastating end-of-life expenses and the financial burden resulting from the public death of her husband. The outpouring of support from the community demonstrated the high regard in which Hannah was held.

Addressing the 'Now': Hannah Russell's Life After 2018

The core of the curiosity surrounding Richard Russell's story is often focused on the woman he left behind. The question "who was Richard 'Beebo' Russell's wife now" is, in essence, asking about the current life of his widow, Hannah Russell. The available public information indicates that Hannah has made a conscious effort to retreat from the public eye, seeking privacy following the overwhelming media attention of the 2018 air disaster. This desire for a private life is a common and understandable response to such a high-profile tragedy.

A Private Life in Washington State

Public records suggest that Hannah Russell (née Stracener) has continued to live in the Washington State area, where she and Richard had established their home in Sumner. Information about her professional career or personal relationships since the 2018 incident is extremely limited, which is a strong indicator that she is actively protecting her privacy. While the public's curiosity remains high, her choice to live a life away from the spotlight must be respected.

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The Status of Her Relationship

As of late 2025, there is no verified, citable public information from a reputable news source confirming that Hannah Russell has remarried or is in a new public relationship. The lack of such detail, years after the incident, is the most current answer to the question of her marital status. She remains Richard Russell's widow in the public record, having chosen to navigate her new chapter with dignity and discretion. Her focus appears to have been on rebuilding her life away from the painful memories and media scrutiny associated with the "Sky King" tragedy.

The Legacy of the 'Sky King' Incident

The entire incident, which involved an unauthorized takeoff, a spectacular flight, and the eventual crash on Ketron Island, remains a powerful and tragic story of mental health, a cry for help, and a sudden, devastating loss. Richard's final moments, captured in the air traffic control audio, revealed a man struggling with inner demons, yet still expressing his love for his family.

For Hannah Russell, the legacy is one of survival and resilience. She was the one left to manage the emotional and logistical fallout of the event. While the world remembers Richard's final flight, his wife, Hannah, is a symbol of the countless private lives forever altered by public tragedies. Her current life, though private, is a testament to the quiet strength required to move on from being the wife of a man whose final act was a global headline.

In summary, Richard 'Beebo' Russell's wife is his widow, Hannah Stracener Russell. She has maintained a private life since the 2018 tragedy, and there are no current, verifiable public details regarding her personal life or marital status in late 2025.