Investigation: 'China Cold Case'
NBC Los Angeles

A Sherman Oaks man was killed in China last April after going there to work as an English teacher. His mother suspects his death was not an accident, and fears more Americans could be in danger there as the demand for American tutors increases. NBC4's Ana Garcia investigates into this cold case.

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Darren Russell made a last cry for help from China to his family in Calabasas."I'm scared. I want to get out of here...I've never been this scared in my life," Russell said on the message.It's a voicemail that he left for his parents, three days before he was found dead.

Darren Russell, 35, went to China to teach English. His mother, Maxine, says his contract promised a lot of things that didn't materialize, including a work visa. She says when Darren threatened to blow the whistle on the poor working conditions there, he felt that his life was placed in danger. Maxine says Darren called to tell her he was removed from the school and dropped off in a seedy section of Guangzhou.

"They took his passport away and they said it had to be held by the police," said Maxine.Sensing danger, Maxine said she asked the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou to intervene.

"I sent 30 emails, I tried calling and left five phone messages, and I said, 'Please this urgent. I am extremely worried about my son,'" said Maxine.

Maxine tells NBC4 that when the State Department finally called her back it was to tell her Darren was dead. She blames the U.S. Consulate for not doing enough."It would have taken two hours of their time and Darren would be alive today," said Maxine.

The State Department told NBC4 in email that they did help Darren.They claim he was provided "appropriate information and assistance regarding his need for funds to return to the U.S."But how did Darren die? The Chinese government says he was hit by a truck.

"There was a complete absence of abrasions, lacerations, fractures. There was no evidence of an auto accident of any kind," said mortician Jerry Marek.Jerry Marek is the mortician who prepared Darren's body. Marek, a former coroner, who's examined hundreds of bodies says that Darren's case looked like something else."He was hit in the head with something," said Marek .

His opinion only fueled Maxine's suspicions. Maxine says she had to sign a statement agreeing with the accident story in order to get her son's body back."If he was murdered we need to know that because there are others teaching in China," said Maxine."They would prefer this to be listed officially as an accident," said USC Professor Stanley Rosen.

Rosen says because that way it would be less politically charged."But if it's a murder the Chinese government is under pressure to solve the case," said Rosen.

NBC4 went to the Chinese Consulate near downtown Los Angeles and asked to talk to someone about Darren Russell."We have not been informed of this specific case," said Xiaomeh Zhou, Press Counsel, Chinese Consulate, L.A.

Maxine has a copy of a certified letter she says was sent to the Chinese consulate. So who's telling the truth?

Congressman Henry Waxman wants to know who is telling the truth. He sent NBC4 this statement:

"I am continuing to press the State Department and the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou for a full investigation. Mrs. Russell and her family deserve to know the facts."

"If only I knew how bad it was," said Maxine.

The truth may not be enough to release Maxine Russell from the guilt she says she feels. "I'll live with that for the rest of my life. I mean I couldn't help him," said Maxine. The school Darren worked for in China did not respond to NBC4's emails. The Chinese Consulate still maintains no formal complaint by the mother or the U.S. government has been filed.