Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star found dead after he ‘hangs himself’ at home after piling up $1.5 million debts
Real Housewives of Beverly Hill star has been found dead of an apparent suicide after piling up debts of $1.5 million.
Taylor Armstrong’s estranged husband allegedly hanged himself, and was found in his bedroom at his home on Mulholland Drive in Los Angeles yesterday.
The Los Angeles City Fire Department pronounced him dead at the scene at 8:16 PM.
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Dead: It has been reported Russell Armstrong, seen here with estranged Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star wife Taylor, committed suicide on Monday
According to TMZ a roommate found the 47-year-old and called emergency services.
Ed Winter of the L.A Coroner’s Office said: ‘He hung himself with no suicide note found.’
No drugs or alcohol were found in the bedroom where Russell died and he was fully clothed when his body was discovered
His wife of six years Taylor filed for divorce last month, after she claimed he physically abused her.
Happier times: Russell kissing his estranged wife Taylor before their relationship hit the rocks
She was informed of Russell’s death last night.
He is survived by Kennedy, his five-year-old daughter with Taylor, and Aiden, a 13-year-old son from a previous marriage and a an 11-year-old son with former fiancee Milette Fields.
His spokesman was not available for comment when contacted by the Mail Online.
However in the last interview before his death he told Rumorfix last month about how difficult he found it to live with his new fame, and how it contributed to his marriage break-up.
He said: ‘The pressure of being in the TV spotlight was pretty overwhelming.
‘It took our manageable problems and made them worse. We are very supportive of each other and love each other.
‘I will support her as best I can moving forward.
This is a devastating time. We had a wonderful marriage and I don’t want you to get the impression that Taylor and I are bitter enemies — we’re not.
‘We have a beautiful five-year-old daughter who we both love.’
His lawyer Ronald Richards said he was $1.5 million in debt and had been staying at his friend’s house on Mulholland Drive, where he was found.
He said: ‘I feel bad because his credit cards weren’t working. He had tremendous financial problems.
‘He was also extremely bummed out about the divorce with Taylor.
‘As far as a will, even if he does have a will, they don’t have any assets, so I’m not sure what there would be left to leave.
‘I am extremely saddened, I had no idea he was depressed.
‘He was living month to month to support his lifestyle for Taylor.
‘These couples join these shows, and then they keep trying to outdo each other and they end up spending all their money trying to sustain a lifestyle that’s unrealistic and wasn’t there prior to the show,
‘The weekly social events, the dinners and all the BS, trying to pretend you have unlimited resources in Beverly Hills is tough.
‘When every night is a potential sound bite or posting on a website, you end up getting addicted to it, you go out all the time.’
Plush: The house on Mulholland Drive, Los Angeles where Russell Armstrong was found hanged
Taylor Armstrong hasn’t broken the news yet about Russell’s suicide to their daughter Kennedy.
A friend told TMZ: ‘She’s not emotionally ready to do so just yet.’
Her attorney Robert Thorne said: ‘Taylor Armstrong is devastated by the tragic events that have unfolded. She requests privacy at this time so that she may comfort her young daughter.’
However his ex-wife Barbara Frederickson, who previously had a restraining order taken out against him over abuse allegations, blamed Taylor for his death.
She told RadarOnline: ‘I don’t care for her at all. I think she’s the reason for this.
‘She’s not who she says she is and I told him to please be careful with this woman. I warned him! She’s bad news and she drove him into this.’
The high life: The family looked happy when they were snapped in June after chartering a private jet but Russell could not afford their lavish lifestyle according to his lawyer
Some of the other stars of the Real Housewives shows have also paid tribute.
Kelsey Grammer’s ex Camille, who also stars in the Beverly Hills show, tweeted: ‘My sympathy and condolences go out to Taylor and Kennedy. My thoughts and prayers are with them.’
Her co-star Adrienne Maloof added: ‘My heart goes out to Taylor Armstrong and Kennedy during this devastating time. You will be in my thoughts and in prayers.’
The show’s executive producer Andy Cohen tweeted: ‘I am so very sad about today’s news. My prayers and thoughts are with Taylor Armstrong and her family.’
A spokesman for Bravo, which airs the programme, said: ‘All of us at Bravo are deeply saddened by this tragic news.
‘Our sympathy and thoughts are with the Armstrong family at this difficult time.’
Tribute: Camille Grammer posted her support for her Real Housewives co-star Taylor Armstrong and her daughter
Sympathy: Real Housewives executive producer Andy Cohen has also posted about his sadness on hearing the news
Stars from some of the other shows in the franchise have also spoken.
Jill Zarin of the New York show said: ‘This is so sad for Taylor and her daughter.
‘Words cannot convey how I feel. I will be there for her if she needs me. This is such a senseless tragedy.’
Her co-star Ramona Singer added: ‘I cried when I heard the news.
‘Someone has to be extremely depressed to take his life, and he was obviously in an intense amount of pain.
‘People grow apart, but it doesn’t mean Taylor stopped caring for him.
‘The whole thing is just sad. I feel so sad for their daughter. She has a loss forever. It’s a travesty.’
Estranged: Despite being embroiled in a bitter divorce before Russell’s suicide, the reality star is making preparations for the service
Housewife of New Jersey Caroline Manzo said: ‘I’m so sorry to hear it, it’s so tragic.
‘My thoughts are with Taylor, their daughter, Russell’s son and their families.’
As well as the abuse allegations, the venture capitalist was embroiled in a legal fight after he and Taylor were accused of misleading investors.
They are being sued for $1.5 million for misleading investors. investors in a company called NuWay Digital Systems, Inc. (NDS).
Russell was the chief executive officer of the company, which held interest in another company called MyMedicalRecords.com (MMR).
In the lawsuit, the latter claims Russell collected more than a million dollars by selling off NDS shares to investors who were told they were getting a piece of MMR.
Fatherless: Russell is survived by his daughter Kennedy, who is sure to be devastated at the news
It also claims the duo ‘successfully and secretly’ funnelled money from MMR and into their own pockets, and used the cash to live a life of luxury.
Reportedly the two parties had reached a settlement over the affair, but the lawsuit claims they breached the agreement.
In addition it had also emerged he had a history of abusing his domestic partners.
His wife Taylor, 40, has accused him of calling her names, grabbing her, shoving her, pulling her hair and throwing objects at her, and has filed for divorce.
Armstrong has had two separate restraining orders filed against by him.
The first was by his ex-wife Barbara and the other came from an ex-girlfriend.
In addition, Armstrong has a criminal record, pleading guilty to battery in 1997.
