BELLEFONTAINE — Gladis Russell, the rural Logan County woman who, along with her husband, was slain in February, died from blunt force trauma, the Georgia Bureau of Investigations announced Friday.

The 85-year-old woman’s body was found in a cotton field in Dooly County, Ga., on March 9.

Dental records helped identify her remains.

Investigators believe Samuel K. “Sammy” Littleton, 37, of Bellefontaine, killed Richard and Gladis Russell. Littleton took the elderly couple’s bodies in their own car and dumped Richard, 84, in Tennessee and Gladis in Georgia, investigators said. Richard Russell’s body was found several weeks ago.

His wife’s body should be back in Bellefontaine by Saturday, said nephew Mike Coder. He added that Richard’s body was brought back to Ohio more than a week ago.

“We wanted to find them so we could lay them both to rest at the same time,” Coder said. “For us, that will be a relief.”

Family members plan a joint service for the couple.

Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Monday at the First Church of God, 1000 E. Brown Ave., Bellefontaine, with a Lions Club memorial service open to the public there at 8 p.m. Monday.

The main service will be held in the church at 11 a.m. Tuesday. The Russells will be buried in Highland Memorial Cemetery off U.S. 68.

Police are continuing their work in the investigation, said Logan County Sheriff Andy Smith.

“We’re getting evidence ready for lab testing,” he said.

Littleton has not been charged in connection with any crimes involving the Russells. He was captured in West Virginia one day after their car was found in a parking lot.

Littleton remains in a West Virginia jail, contesting extradition to Ohio.

He has been charged in the murder of Tiffany L. Brown, 26, the daughter of Littleton’s longtime girlfriend. Brown had been reported missing for nearly a week in early February before her body was found in the basement of Littleton’s house. Police had sought to question Littleton about Brown’s disappearance, but he eluded officers.

Littleton bought his house from the Russells. His phone number and name were on a note found in the Russells’ home.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0360 or vlough@coxohio.com.