PRESS RELEASE Of interest to editors and journalists covering: Books/Publishing, Libraries, Crime/Law, Movies/Film, Women's Interests 'Lethal Intent,' The Definitive Book About Executed Serial Killer Aileen Wuornos, Tells The True Story of the Notorious Murderer Portrayed By Actress Charlize Theron in the Movie 'Monster' Author Sue Russell Attended Aileen Wuornos's Trial and Investigated The Life and Childhood of A Woman Who Cold-Bloodedly Murdered Seven Men LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Jan. 13, 2004 /Send2Press Newswire/ -- Sue Russell (www.SueRussellWrites.com), author of the true crime book "Lethal Intent," says that Aileen "Lee" Wuornos - often called the first female serial killer - defied glib labeling. Wuornos, subject of the fact-based yet fictionalized movie "Monster," craved fame and wanted to do something no-one had ever done before. "Lethal Intent" (ISBN 0-7860-1518-7) reveals how a smiling little girl from Michigan wound up receiving six death sentences for seven Florida murders in 1989 and 1990. She was executed in October 2002. "Aileen was labeled a man-hating lesbian who killed her johns in self-defense," says Russell. "I contest three things in that sentence alone. My research led me to conclude she was bisexual, not a lesbian. She killed for money, not to exact revenge from clients who hurt her. I believe what she called her 'killing days' were triggered by a desperate attempt to get money to hang on to her lesbian lover when their relationship was under threat. Also, we don't know that all her victims were her johns. Some were likely good samaritans, trying to help her out." In 'Lethal Intent: The Shocking True Story of One of America's Most Notorious Serial Killers' (Kensington Publishing Corporation/Pinnacle Books, November 2002; ISBN 0-7860-1518-7; 512 pages; available nationally; $6.50), Sue Russell investigates Wuornos, a hitchhiking prostitute who killed predator-style, like a man. She randomly targeted and preyed upon strangers, intent on leaving no witnesses. Her violent acts began earlier. In adolescence, she threatened her sister with a knife. Later, a suicide attempt turned into armed robbery. She was abused and abandoned as a child, however, and was selling her body by age eleven. Uncannily, the father she never met also committed a capital offense. "She is both a tragic and rage-inducing figure," says Russell of the angry, snarling woman who vowed she'd kill again if ever she were set free. About Sue Russell Sue is a veteran journalist and the author of several non-fiction books. Born in London, she is based in Los Angeles. MEDIA CONTACT: Author Sue Russell In L.A. +1-818-784-6298 Sue@SueRussellWrites.com # # # [ source of news = Author Sue Russell] ref: http://www.send2press.com/2archive/2004/pr_04_0113-russell.txt http://www.send2press.com/2archivePDF/pr_04_0113-russell.pdf --------------------------------------------------------------------------- *IMPORTANT NOTE TO MEDIA: to reach the organization releasing this news, please contact: Sue@SueRussellWrites.com If used for publication, please send specimen copy. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- S2PPRN//4c/ CA / Los Angeles, California / Copr. (c) 2004 Send2Press. This release was issued on behalf of the above organization by Send2Press(tm), a unit of Neotrope(R). http://www.Send2Press.com .