Kenneth Manning.

Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan and Malden Chief of Police Kevin Molis have announced that an arrest warrant has been issued for the suspect in the murder of Colleen Russell, 36, of Malden and for larceny of a motor vehicle.

The suspect has been identified as Kenneth Manning, 35, of Malden. Manning has brown hair and is 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs approximately 265 lbs. The public should not attempt to approach Manning and should contact law enforcement immediately if they have any information regarding this investigation.

Manning was last seen wearing dark pants and a dark hooded sweatshirt on February 16, 2016 in Somerville. The victim’s car was recovered in Somerville; however there is no evidence that leads authorities to believe that the suspect has an affiliation with Somerville. Manning is known to carry a knife as well as to abuse controlled substances. Manning has several distinctive tattoos including a large cross on the back of his neck, a tribal tattoo on his left bicep, and the grim reaper on his left calf.

On February, 15, 2016, at approximately 9:00 p.m. Malden Police received a call from two family members of the victim requesting a well-being check. Officers immediately responded to the victim’s address at 500 Broadway in Malden. Upon arrival, authorities gained entry to her apartment and located her body. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of death has been determined to be sharp force injuries by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.  Officers also found signs of a struggle inside the apartment.

Anyone with information on this case should contact the Massachusetts State Police at (781) 897-6600 or the Malden Police Department Tip Line by phone (781) 397-7171 or by text at 847411 (tip411).

This case is being investigated by the Malden Police Department and Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office.  The Assistant District Attorney assigned is Suzanne Kontz and the Victim Witness Advocate is Danielle Demeo.

This is an ongoing homicide investigation and no additional details are being made available at this time.