Hotline set up in Quest courier homicide of Lascelles Russell

STUART, Fla. - Stuart police have set up a hotline after a medical lab courier was shot and killed.

Lescelles Russell was last heard from around 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21, after making rounds for his employer Quest Diagnostics.

Russell was found shot dead in his car, a 1997 4-door white Volvo, the next morning. The car was parked in the company parking lot in the 900 block of East Ocean Boulevard.

"I can't believe somebody would do something like that. I knew he was dead, I could feel it in my heart," said Lola Russell, the victim's mother. "I pray every morning I will wake up and find out who did it."

Russell worked at Quest Diagnostics for 21 years. As a lab courier his job was to help people get their medical tests from their doctor's office to the medical lab.

Quest Diagnostics said Russell had a good record and was "well liked" by employees.

"As far as I know, my brother has no enemies," said Colin Hazzard, Russell's brother.

Police say he did not appear to be the victim of a robbery. Anyone who may have information is urged to contact the homicide hotline at (772) 220-3966. You can remain anonymous.

NewsChannel 5's Kristyn Caddell contributed to this report.