look at this site comment section... his friend said otherwise... it seems like the story has been twisted to make it appealing.
http://www.gameranx.com/updates/id/6904/ar...aims-its-first-
real-world-victim-32-year-old-russell-shirley/

UPDATE #2:

We have been contacted by one of Russell's close friends. He's asked that we keep the information he gave us anonymous and unpublished, but it goes without saying that what has transpired here has been a misunderstanding.

The anonymous contact provided us with a picture of Russell and his friends, and the e-mail in question was heartfelt.

We believe that the blog post Gameranx reported on was not trustworthy and it was a mistake on our part to have even used its content. Please remember Russell Shirley not as a Diablo III-addicted gamer, but as a great person - kind, loving, and caring.

This is a full retraction of statement regarding the death of Russell Shirley and the events surrounding said death. While we know that - morally - what has transpired here cannot be undone, we apologize to Russell, his friends, and his family.

[Source]