- "Was this you? Madani, did you finish the job?"
"I'm flattered, really. But you know what? Yeah, maybe, maybe I did. Maybe I put five bullets in him instead of three. And then that's the end of the story." - ―Brett Mahoney and Dinah Madani[src]
The Execution of Billy Russo was carried out by Frank Castle to exact vengeance upon Billy Russo.
Russo, who survived a shootout with Dinah Madani after a botched attack, was left to die of his critical injuries when his doctor robbed him. He sent a distress call to Curtis Hoyle, who instead tipped off Castle, who executed Russo without remorse for the pain inflicted on his life. To hide Castle's involvement from official reports, Madani claimed responsibility for Russo's death, much to the skepticism of NYPD Detective Sergeant Brett Mahoney.
Background[]
Billy Russo and Dinah Madani both collapse
- "We got here and you were lying on the floor in a pool of blood. None of it your own. There's blood in the hallway, down the stairwell. Russo didn't kill you, but I think maybe you killed him and he just doesn't know it yet."
- ―Brett Mahoney to Dinah Madani[src]
Upon his return to Krista Dumont's Apartment, Billy Russo, much to his horror, saw Krista Dumont bleeding on the street. Seeing Dinah Madani in an apartment who was responsible for almost killing the only one who Russo cared about, he rushed into the apartment. Enraged and seeking vengeance, Russo assaulted Madani. Madani managed to put three bullets in Russo, despite being choked.
When Madani lost her consciousness, a wounded Russo left the apartment, thinking that now both Dumont and Madani are dead. Still bleeding, Russo contacted Doctor Charles and threatened him with a gun, forcing Charles to remove the bullets and patch him up. Despite the fact that Charles was not qualified in this, he removed one bullet from him before Russo lost his consciousness. Believing Russo had died, Charles took all of his money and left him in the dumpster.[2]
Execution[]
Billy Russo calls Curtis Hoyle for some help
- "It's you. I should have known. If I'm gonna be with somebody, I'm... I'm happy that it's you. Frank... Whatever I've done, I'm s–"
- ―Billy Russo to Frank Castle[src]
Managing to find St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church to rest, Billy Russo woke up and called Curtis Hoyle. Suffering from blood loss, Russo informed Hoyle that he was dying and asked him for medical aid. Understanding Hoyle's answer from his silence, Russo asked him to not call the police. Russo then stated that he did not deserve any forgiveness from Hoyle but wanted him to understand that he did not want to die alone.
Billy Russo talks to Frank Castle before dying
Hoyle kept his promise not to call the police, but called Frank Castle and informed him about Russo's location. Castle arrived at the church's basement where he found Russo dying on the floor. Being surprised about not seeing Hoyle, Russo began to talk to Castle while he remained silent. Being happy to share the last moments of his life with him, Russo then attempted to apologize for all he had done to him. Castle ignored Russo's apology and shot him twice in his chest, before leaving the church.[2]
Aftermath[]
Billy Russo's bloody corpse being discovered
- "Any chance we can preserve the crime scene?"
"What part of this isn't clear to you?"
"Only who fired the bullets." - ―Brett Mahoney and Curtis Hoyle[src]
Curtis Hoyle called Detective Brett Mahoney and Dinah Madani to St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, and found Billy Russo's body without any signs of the murderer. Mahoney decided to preserve the crime scene but Hoyle stated that it must be clear to him that Russo died from blood loss. However, Mahoney noted that five bullet holes in Russo's body instead of three, wondering who killed him before he arrived.
Asking if Madani had been the one to kill Russo, Mahoney was given the answer by Madani who then admitted she didn't shot Russo and Mahoney could close the case with that story. Mahoney then asked if both of Madani and Hoyle had heard about Frank Castle, however, they only answered with a resounding question of his identity, much to Mahoney's annoyance.[2]