Russ Brennan, born Kyle Keenan, is Temperance Brennan's brother, who left her when she was 15 years old and he was 19 years old, shortly after the disappearance of their parents.
History
Early Years
At seven years old, his father told him he was never to use the name Kyle Keenan again (and that if he did, it would get his sister killed) and his new name was Russ Brennan. When they were children, he had a close relationship with his baby sister, Temperance, who idolized him. After he left home, Russ committed various misdemeanors and felonies, and worked as a mechanic in North Carolina.
Season 1
The Woman in Limbo
When a Jane-Doe body was identified as Russ and Temperance's mother Ruth Keenan, Booth tracked Russ down. Russ gave Angela information that allowed the team to arrest Ruth's killer. Bones' relationship with Russ after he left was initially unwilling, due to her feelings of abandonment. At the end of the episode, Russ and Temperance made up, and the latter enjoyed referring to him as "my (her) brother" in the next episode.
Season 2
Judas on a Pole
Russ almost comes close to death, as he is seen with a rogue FBI agent [Agent Elysee] Ni
Season 3
The Knight on the Grid
Russ did not resurface until after learning that his stepdaughter Hayley had been hospitalized with complications related to her cystic fibrosis. He was arrested by Booth and subsequently sentenced to thirty days in the county jail, with the term of his probation extended and amended to include the wearing of an ankle monitor.
The Santa in the Slush
Bones manages to get a trailer for Max, Russ, Amy (his girlfriend/fiancee), Emma, Hayley, and herself to spend Christmas in. At first, Russ didn't want to spend Christmas with them because Hayley and Emma didn't know that he was in prison. Bones convinced Russ to tell them that he flew in to visit their father in jail for Christmas and to even wear his usual clothes to convince them. Bones wasn't going to spend Christmas with them because she was going to Peru to examine ancient remains, but Booth persuades her to spend Christmas with them and even brings them a Christmas tree.
The Verdict in the Story
It is unknown exactly when Russ was released from prison; however, it was sometime before the events of the episode in which Russ's father Max was tried for murdering Robert Kirby, the Deputy Director of the FBI. Russ testified on the stand that he did not witness Kirby's murder; however, it is heavily implied throughout the episode that Russ, like his sister, Tempe, knew that Max did commit the murder. In the end, Max is acquitted of the crime.
Russ has not made any further appearances since then; however, he has been mentioned several times. In "The Goop on the Girl," Max stated that Russ was spending Christmas with the girls down in Florida, with the in-laws, implying that Russ married Amy at this point and is meeting the new members of his family.
Season 11
High Treason in the Holiday Season
Bones told Booth that Max is spending Thanksgiving with Russ, Amy, Hayley, and Emma in Florida.
Notes
- Russ and Amy were the only ones who did not attend Max's funeral in Season 12.