Russell Armstrong’s Suicide Was ‘Final Act’ To Abuse Taylor, Says Source

By Jen Heger - RadarOnline.com Legal Editor

Russell Armstrong's suicide was the "final and ultimate act of abuse" towards his estranged wife, Taylor Armstrong, star of the Bravo hit show, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, a source close to the situation tells RadarOnline.com exclusively.

As previously reported Russell, 47, was found hanged at a friend’s home in Los Angeles on Monday night, and the cause of death is a suspected suicide.

"Russell and Taylor had an extremely volatile relationship for years. Russell grew increasingly isolated after Taylor filed for divorce,” the insider tells RadarOnline.com. “For Russell to take his own life like this, and leave three children without a father, while going through a divorce, is his final and ultimate act of abuse towards Taylor.

“The fact that Russell didn't leave a note behind for Taylor, or anyone else, well, it's not surprising at all.”

Russell blamed Taylor's popularity on the show for the growing scrutiny surrounding the skeletons in his closet. As RadarOnline.com previously reported, his ex-wife, Barbara Armstrong, and ex-girlfriend, Claudia Haro, both accused Russell of physical abuse in court documents. "Russell was livid that unflattering details about his past were made public," the source says.

Meanwhile, our spies tell us: "Viewers will be shocked at what happens between Russell and Taylor as their marriage unravels on camera, if Bravo decides to air it. People will see a completely different side of Taylor and Russell that wasn't seen in the first season."

The new season of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills is scheduled to premiere on September 5, although, at this time, Bravo has not announced how it plans to deal with the tragedy.

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