Taylor Armstrong’s Friends Had Intervention ‘Years Ago’ About Alleged Abuse From Russell

By Amber Goodhand - RadarOnline.com Reporter

There were signs of trouble in Taylor Armstrong’s marriage to Russell years ago, and RadarOnline.com has exclusively learned that friends close to The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star held an intervention begging her to leave him.

It wasn’t until Taylor filed for divorce from Russell in July that she went public with her allegations of his physical abuse, but according to insiders close to her, it wasn’t a secret among their friends.

“A handful of Taylor’s best friends got together almost two years ago and had an intervention with her about Russell’s abuse,” an insider tells RadarOnline.com.

“Taylor was in denial at the time like many abused women. She really thought she was doing the right thing trying to hold her family together.”

According to the insider, there were times that Taylor’s friends witnessed Russell being aggressive and/or physical with her or knew of the abuse because of the bruises she tried to cover up or the times she admitted it to friends.

Taylor Armstrong, Out For First Time Since Husband Russell's Memorial Service

“Her friends were mad,” the insider explained, noting that their intervention had failed. “They love her and tried to help her, and now look how things have turned out.”

Russell, 47, was found hanged in the bedroom of a friend’s home on Mulholland Drive in Los Angeles on August 15.

Prior to his suicide, Russell and Taylor were in the midst of a divorce, were in great financial dire, including debt and lawsuits against them and were preparing for the new season of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, which friends say all attributed to his depression and ultimately, his suicide.

The hit Bravo show premiered this past Monday night and sources close to Taylor told RadarOnline.com that she was very moved by the heartfelt comments that each of the Housewives made regarding Russell's suicide.

“There were a lot of tears shed as she watched the episode," a source close to Taylor said.

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