MORRISON – The self-described “best friend” of 53-year-old Tracy A. Russell, found stabbed to death early Sunday on the front porch of a home in the 22000 block of Brooks Road in rural Rock Falls, is in custody and charged with two counts of murder.

Nichole Ruth Elsesser, 45, of Rock Falls, is charged with first- and second-degree murder, and faces a potential sentence of 30 to 60 years, up to life in prison.

Russell died of multiple stab wounds, and there were several witnesses present at the time, Sheriff John Booker said in a news release this morning.

The release does not say when or where Elsesser was arrested.

She is in Whiteside County Jail on $1 million bond; her next court hearing is Jan. 2

Elsesser told investigators she and Russell were “best friends,” the release said.

Deputies responding to a 911 report of the stabbing found Russell’s body on the porch of the home, south of Rock Falls along the Rock River, around 1:30 a.m.

Multiple witnesses meant multiple interviews, which is why more information was not released until this morning, when charges were filed, Booker said in the release.

He did say investigators located two people of interest, a man and a woman, within 15 hours of the start of the investigation.

Elsesser, who, like Russell, attended Rock Falls High School, was charged with felony obstruction of justice and misdemeanor resisting arrest in 2006; she pleaded to the misdemeanor and the felony was dropped. Other than that, she has mostly traffic violations in Whiteside and Lee counties.

Russell was a former professional boxer and a member of the legendary local Jon Russell boxing family.

He was the father of Jamie Russell, coach of the Sauk Valley Community College women’s basketball team and a former youth boxing champion. Jon Russell, who died in 1988, was his brother.

Other survivors include his sons Aaron, Ryan and Bronson, daughter Tracie Russell-Call of Sterling and father Alvin Russell of Rock Falls.

A GoFundMe account has been established to help pay funeral expenses. More than $6,000 of the $10,000 goal was reached by 3:30 p.m. Go to https://www.gofundme.com/f/a-memorial-for-our-dad-tracy-russell to donate.

McDonald Funeral Home in Rock Falls is handling arrangements.