Episode 91: Nicole Russo with guest reader Elisa Donovan

Sixteen-year-old Nicole Russo loved poetry, dreamed of becoming an auto mechanic, and had just started preparing for her GED. In March 1995, she left her Brick, New Jersey home to visit her new boyfriend’s mother on Long Island. She never came home.

What followed was a deeply troubling investigation that would uncover bloodstains, a chilling confession, and a desperate attempt to cover up the truth. And yet, Nicole has never been found.

In this episode, we explore Nicole Russo’s story. Nicole, a teenager navigating love and independence while dangers she couldn’t see coming. Featuring a special reading by Clueless and Sabrina the Teenage Witch actress Elisa Donovan, honoring Nicole’s love of poetry.

This is a story of heartbreak, violence, and a young woman who deserved so much more.

📖 Featuring an original poem written in her honor, read by Elisa Donovan. Elisa has been a part of multiple iconic pop culture phenomenons. She began her film career originating the role of Amber in the Paramount Pictures comedy Clueless. She followed that up with a turn on another pop culture sensation, the television series Beverly Hills, 90210, playing bad girl Ginger LaMonica. Then after reprising her role of Amber for three seasons on the television series of Clueless, and shooting the Paramount/SNL Films comedy, A Night At The Roxbury, Elisa went on to the monster hit series Sabrina The Teenage Witch, playing Morgan Cavanaugh. Elisa has also had recurring roles on multiple other TV series and has starred in numerous telefilms. In 2023, to the delight of fans all over the world, Elisa reunited with her Clueless co-star Alicia Silverstone reprising their iconic roles for a Rakuten Super Bowl commercial that had a reach of 12.7 BILLION impressions.

As a Celebrity Mom Blogger for people.com Elisa was voted Reader Favorite for her hilarious & heartwarming blogs on being a new mother. Elisa was also hand selected by Sheryl Sandberg to be the voice of her #1 bestsellers Lean In and Option B. The audiobook for Lean In was #1 on the charts and was submitted for a Grammy nomination.

Elisa’s first book, Wake Me When You Leave, was released by Llewellyn Worldwide in North America (audiobook released by Penguin Random House everywhere) and sold out on Amazon on the first day. WMWYL was awarded the Gold Medal at the 2022 COVR Awards for Autobiographical/Biographical books and the Silver Medal for the 2023 Nautilus Book Awards in the Death/Dying & Grief category. Currently, Wake Me When You Leave is in development as a film, which Elisa has written the screenplay for and will be her directorial debut. The film is being produced by Richard J. Bosner.

Elisa is a graduate of Eugene Lang College at The New School University in NYC, where she majored in dramatic literature and writing, with a minor in acting. She lives in San Francisco with her husband and their 12 year old daughter.

🎙️ If you have any information about the location of Nicole Russo, contact the Brick Township police at (732) 262-1100.

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