Real Husband Of Beverly Hills Dead From Apparent Suicide

Russell Armstrong, 47, the husband of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Taylor Armstrong, was found dead in his Los Angeles home on Monday. The death by hanging was apparently a suicide. An investment banker and venture capitalist, Russell appeared on the show several times and was frequently mentioned by his wife, who complained of marital troubles and financial woes. The couple were in the midst of a divorce, his publicist, Rebekah Iliff, confirmed.

Russell, who filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2005, was sued last month for $1.5 million by a former client claiming that he diverted money from investors to promote his family's lavish lifestyle. The complaint states Russell represented himself to be a successful venture capitalist who claimed he had procured $2 billion for various entities.

Bravo, the network that airs the Real Housewives, issued its condolences in statements and via Twitter. "I am so very sad about today's news," Bravo executive and host Andy Cohen tweeted. "My prayers and thoughts are with Taylor Armstrong and her family,"

The premiere of the second season of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, filmed months ago, is set to air September 5. Taylor is seen in the opening episode telling the other housewives that she and her husband are seeking marriage counseling, only later to burst into tears when someone at a dinner party calls therapy a sign of weakness.