Dark Downeast – The Kidnapping of Leslie Buck (Connecticut)

Host: Kylie Lowe
Date: August 28, 2025
Podcast: Dark Downeast – Maine and New England’s True Crime Podcast

Episode Overview

This episode explores the shocking 2002 kidnapping and subsequent suspicious death of Leslie Buck, a beloved second-grade teacher from Stonington, Connecticut. Kylie Lowe unpacks the sequence of events—Leslie’s abduction by trusted handyman Russell Kirby, her escape, and her mysterious death just two days later. Through police records, 911 calls, autopsy findings, and interviews, Kylie pieces together the complex mystery, highlighting inconsistencies, suspicious actions, and the emotional toll on Leslie’s family, all while honoring Leslie’s legacy.

Main Theme

A two-day spiral from violent abduction to unexplained death—a heart-centered investigation into whether Leslie Buck’s fatal injuries were tragic misfortune or the result of a calculated crime.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Leslie’s Disappearance and Kidnapping

[01:00 – 09:00]

• Timeline of Disappearance:
  Charlie Buck, Leslie’s husband, becomes worried when Leslie doesn’t return home by 10:30pm after her teaching sorority meeting.
• 911 Calls:
  • First Call: Charlie checks with family and police, growing anxious (03:58).
  • Second Call: After Leslie returns home physically battered, Charlie reports a kidnapping:
    • Leslie, shaken, describes her attacker as Russell Kirby, their handyman and former neighbor.
    • “Oh my God, I told you I never liked him.” – Unnamed female voice in background, likely Leslie ([05:23]).
• Kidnapping Details:
  • Timeline began at 8:30pm.
  • Leslie attacked in her garage by Russell Kirby, stunned, punched, bound, and driven away in her car ([06:42]).
  • She escapes using a spare key when Kirby stops the car to check engine trouble:
    • “When he got out of the car to check something, I just shut the door… and drove like crazy home.” – Leslie Buck ([07:35]).
• Motivation for Kidnapping:
  Leslie reports Kirby demanded $10,000.

2. Investigation & Arrest of Russell Kirby

[09:00 – 15:00]

• Immediate Actions:
  Police arrive, Leslie is hospitalized for abrasions and contusions. Injuries noted but no extended hospital observation; Leslie returns home that morning.
• Evidence Collected:
  • In Leslie’s car: duffel bag with rope, tape, gloves, handgun, live ammunition, martinis, two stun guns.
  • At Kirby’s house: another stun gun, Colt .45 cleaning kit, other objects.
• Arrest:
  Kirby admits kidnapping was for money, not to harm Leslie; arrested and charged with multiple felonies by Friday morning.

3. Leslie’s Death – Suspicious Circumstances

[15:00 – 23:00]

• Second Tragedy – 911 Call:
  • Less than 48 hours later, Charlie calls to report Leslie unresponsive at the bottom of the stairs ([10:50]).
  • “Her arms are so black and blue and her lips are so black and blue... There’s a big cut on her forehead and blood is dried on her. She’s been there for a while. There’s no pulse.” – Charlie Buck’s 911 call ([10:50]).
• Scene Observations:
  • Officers and paramedics note dried blood, minimal blood volume for a head wound, no sharp objects at the bottom of the stairs.
  • Early post-mortem changes: rigor mortis, lividity, cold skin.
• Immediate Suspicion:
  Timeline and recent attack lead police to treat death as suspicious from the outset.

4. Autopsy and Forensic Findings

[23:00 – 26:30]

• Autopsy Performed by Dr. Malka Shaw:
  • Cause of death: laceration to forehead and basal skull fracture, leading to subdural hematoma.
  • Noted: Injury caused by blunt object with a sharp, 90-degree edge; condition of myocarditis present but not fatal.
  • Timing: Dr. Shaw estimates time of death was earlier than Charlie’s discovery.
• Crime Scene Gaps:
  • No corresponding blood or tissue on the staircase.
  • Injury described as likely inflicted while standing, with downward force.
  • Amount of blood suggests Leslie died quickly—raises question of assault.
  • Manner of death ruled undetermined, not homicide or accident.

5. Charlie Buck Under Scrutiny

[26:30 – 35:00]

• Timeline Conflicts:
  • Charlie’s statements about his movements on May 4th don’t match physical evidence or witness accounts.
  • Receipts and phone records contradict his alibi.
• Personal Life Motive:
  • Multiple witnesses—including one named Gage and bartender Carol Perez—report Charlie was interested in Perez, gave her thousands of dollars in cash and gifts, and discussed divorcing Leslie.
  • On the day of Leslie’s death, Charlie visited Perez twice, culminating in walking her to her car after work ([29:10]).
• Possible Weapon:
  • Witnesses say Charlie joked for years about using a piece of heavy electrical wire as a weapon.
  • A sample brought to police matches the kind of wound Leslie sustained, per Dr. Shaw, though not uniquely so.

6. Russell Kirby’s Background and Legal Proceedings

[35:00 – 41:00]

• Russell’s Relationship with Bucks:
  • Handyman, former neighbor, known for decades; seen with Charlie two days prior to kidnapping.
• Civil Suit Against Russell:
  • Leslie’s estate files suit to keep investigation alive and force testimony.
  • Russell denies forcible abduction in civil court, admits to tying Leslie up.
• Criminal Trial:
  • Russell charged but not granted plea deal.
  • Attempts to exclude Leslie’s statements fail; 911 audio played for jury.
  • Russell testifies to alternate version of events, saying Leslie attacked him first and that weapons were for self-defense.
• Charlie’s Fifth Amendment:
  • Called by defense, Charlie invokes Fifth on all substantive questions about involvement or possible plan with Russell.
• Outcome:
  • Russell found guilty of second-degree kidnapping and third-degree assault; sentenced to 21 years.
  • Defense hints at Charlie’s involvement but can’t link him due to lack of evidence or testimony.

7. Questions, Theories, and Ongoing Investigation

[41:00 – 45:00]

• Unanswered Questions:
  • Was Charlie complicit in the kidnapping to get Leslie out of the way?
  • Did Russell act alone for personal motives or on someone’s orders?
  • Could Leslie’s heart condition have contributed to accidental death, or was foul play involved?
• Police Still Investigating:
  • Detective Sergeant David Knowles:
    • "This is not a closed case. We're not going to rest. I'm not going to rest. I know there's more out there. We just have to find it." ([43:40])
• Leslie’s Cause of Death:
  • Still ruled “undetermined” decades later.
  • Seven years after Leslie’s death, someone (identity saved for the next episode) is arrested for her murder after new evidence surfaces.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Leslie’s terrified return:
  "Oh my God, I told you I never liked him." – Leslie Buck, upon returning home, after her kidnapping ([05:23])
• Leslie recounting her escape:
  "When he got out of the car to check something, I just shut the door, shut that in. And drove like crazy home." – Leslie Buck ([07:35])
• Chilling details from Charlie:
  "Her arms are so black and blue and her lips are so black and blue ... her face is ice cold. Her wrists are ice cold." – Charlie Buck describing the scene to 911 ([10:50])
• Forensic uncertainty:
  "Leslie's manner of death remained undetermined." – Dr. Malka Shaw’s conclusion ([25:30])
• Detective’s resolve:
  "We're not going to rest. I know there's more out there. We just have to find it." – Detective Sergeant David Knowles ([43:40])
• Russell’s alternate story:
  "The only thing I could do is stop her." – Russell Kirby describing the alleged struggle with Leslie ([39:30])

Timestamps for Critical Segments

• 01:00–03:58 – Leslie’s disappearance and initial 911 calls
• 05:54–08:00 – Leslie recounts kidnapping and escape
• 10:50–12:15 – Charlie reports finding Leslie dead
• 15:49–19:30 – Charlie’s activities and timeline, call logs
• 23:00–26:30 – Autopsy findings and forensic dilemmas
• 28:00–32:00 – Charlie’s relationship with Carol Perez and conflicting timeline
• 34:00–37:00 – The “wire” weapon theory
• 39:00–41:00 – Russell’s court testimony and trial outcome
• 43:40–44:50 – Detective Knowles on the case’s persistence
• 44:52–end – Preview of next episode: new evidence and arrest

Tone & Approach

• Narrative: Factual, methodical, but compassionate to Leslie and her family
• Language: Clear, respectful, free of speculation beyond facts
• Ethical True Crime: Honors the victim while scrutinizing investigative gaps

Conclusion

The Leslie Buck case remains a haunting New England mystery—marked by trauma, unanswered questions, and lingering suspicion over both kidnapping and death. The next episode promises to delve into later developments, potential suspects, and a possible answer to the question, "Who killed Leslie Buck?" As always, Kylie Lowe approaches the case with empathy, rigor, and a mission to keep these stories in the light until justice is served.