Man arrested after holding person hostage with two dead bodies inside Atlanta apartment, police say

ATLANTA -- A man has been arrested after allegedly barricading himself inside an apartment with the bodies of his mother and her longtime boyfriend following an incident where he held a woman hostage. Neil Russell, 44, was taken into custody on Saturday, March 8, and faces charges of aggravated assault, false imprisonment, and possession of a knife during the commission of a felony. Although police found two bodies inside the apartment, Russell has yet to be charged in connection with the deaths, though authorities believe he is responsible.

The situation unfolded at the Oglethorpe Place Apartments on Oglethorpe Avenue SW when family members requested a welfare check after losing contact with Marvin Spencer and Henrietta Russell, the suspect's mother. Upon arrival, officers found the apartment door barricaded and detected a foul odor emanating from inside. Russell reportedly threatened to harm himself and others while refusing to cooperate with police.

Inside the apartment, law enforcement discovered that a woman had also been present, allegedly held at knifepoint by Russell. She had just met him earlier that day at a MARTA station. Following a standoff, officers managed to take Russell into custody, and upon searching the premises, they found the bodies of Spencer and Henrietta.

Neil Russell was taken to a hospital due to self-inflicted injuries before being booked into the Fulton County Jail. Marvin Spencer's daughter, Maria, expressed her grief and desire for answers, revealing that her father would have turned 76 that day. "I want to know what happened," she said, seeking clarity on the tragic events.

Investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the couple's deaths, with police indicating that they are pursuing the case as a murder rather than natural causes. "We're not sure because of their state right now, but we do know it was a murder," noted APD Lt. Andrew Smith. Additional charges against Russell may also be forthcoming as the investigation unfolds.