Murder, Shootings & Overdose, What Went Wrong For Hi-Five?

Posted On : December 2, 2015
toriano
Original Hi-Five members: (From top clockwise): Tony (C); Toriano, Roderick, Marcus, Russell

Here is a quick breakdown of the tragedies of the Hi-Five members:
– Russell Neal – Arrested for killing his wife.
– Tony Thompson – Died from an overdose of a toxic chemical.
– Roderick Clark – Paralyzed from a car accident.
– Toriano Easley – Sentenced to 15 years for a murder charge and was replaced by Treston Irby.
– Treston Irby – Shot five times.

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Russell Lamont Neal

RUSSELL LAMONT NEAL – ARRESTED FOR THE MURDER OF HIS WIFE
Let’s start with the most recent horrific crime that was allegedly committed by one of the original members of Hi-Five, Russell Lamont Neal. In June of 2014, Russell murdered his 24 year old wife, model Catherine “Brasilia” Martinez, and is currently awaiting trial (at least as far as we know he’s still waiting).

Russel's wife, whom police say he has murdered, Christina Martinez
Russel’s wife, whom police say he has murdered, Catherine “Brasilia” Martinez

Russell was living in Houston, TX at the time of the incident and Houston police said that he walked into the Houston sheriff’s department building and stated something like ‘My wife is dead. I would like an attorney.’ After that, they said that Russell calmly waited for the cops to question him and take him away. The cops eventually arrested him without incident and about four of them walked him outside to a cop car for transport.

Russell being led to cop car after he turned himself in.
Russell being led to cop car after he turned himself in.

One witness said “He wasn’t resisting arrest or fighting with them, or saying anything. When they brought him out in handcuffs, he was just as calm as can be and they just put him in a police car.”

After Russell was booked, he told police Catherine’s body was at their home at the apartment complex. Police said they had to break the door down and once inside, they found Catherine Martinez, dead on the living room floor with multiple stab wounds and blunt force trauma injuries to her head. Her body was covered with a blanket and her autopsy results showed that she died from puncture wounds.

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In May of 2015, U.S. Marshal’s Service deputies arrested Russell Lamont Neal, in Waco, Tx after a warrant was issued out of Harris County on charges that he failed to appear for a court date in connection with the July 2014 murder of his wife Catherine Martinez. The weird thing is that authorities say that earlier that day, police were called to the residence Russell was in after someone reported that a person there was showing suicidal tendencies. The police showed up and spoke with Russell and then they left because they said that the court time had not passed yet, so they had no basis for arresting him. Then later that day, Russell skipped out on court and the police went back to that exact same home and arrested him. That wasn’t a wise move on Russell’s part. His situation is already bad, but he made it worst with that no-show stunt.

Russel's May 2015 mugshot
Russel’s May 2015 mugshot

As far as we know, Russell hasn’t gone to trial and been sentenced as of yet, so we’ll keep you updated on any new info regarding his story.

His wife Catherine “Brasilia” Martinez, was a fitness model and aspiring boxer.


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Treston Irby
Treston Irby

TRESTON IRBY – SHOT 5 TIMES
In 2009, Treston Irby was shot five times outside of a New Haven, Ct. nightclub. Police said Treston appeared to be an innocent bystander. Treston is now back with fellow original Hi-Five member, Marcus Sanders, and 3 new members as they rebuild their brand and their fan base once again.

After going through depression once the fame was over, Treston said the shooting was almost like a blessing in disguise to get him back on track: “The day I woke up out at the hospital after getting shot 5 times, that’s when I knew it was time to start working,” Treston said.

Turn the page to see the other members…

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