"Real Housewives" Russell Armstrong Commits Suicide

[believe09]

If I am being honest then I would guess this is Russell's final attempt to impact the life of his wife and child before he was effectively set aside in a divorce-I think he was troubled but I think he was definitely a control freak, imo.

 

[cluciano63]

I don't believe you can say that someone with children does not have the "right" to committ suicide...when someone does take their own life, they are generally not seeing any other way...and may well know their children will be cared for. In any case, I am not sure that a suicidal parent is of much use to a child...I know some people who lost a parent to suicide and they are more compassionate people than most, because they understand that sometimes people just can't bear to live, for whatever reason.

If anything, people with children should not have the "right" to committ murder, such as the suspect in the little girl's case , Breeann...look what that guy's children will endure. I think it would be far easier for them if he had simply killed himself and left the little girl to live her life...
jmo

 

[Hopeful One]

I guess we can say that hindsight is 20/20. As I've said, I've felt that suicidal despair and I know it feels completely helpless and hopeless. Suicide is final so there is no helping those who have already committed it. I can only hope and pray that others find help before they take such drastic measures.

 

[arielilane]

I too watch all the Real Housewives of ------- fill in the city. Love the crazy shows, a lot of drama. I was looking forward to Beverly Hills premiere on Sept 5.

I'm sorry to hear about Russell's passing. It's so sad when someone takes their own life. Russell also leaves behind two sons (13 and 11 years old) from prior relationships. I pray for his family.

Rest in peace, Russell Armstrong.

 

[Melanie]

I am an avid fan of RHoBH. It has been so painfully obvious and heartbreaking to watch these two "interact". I have always felt to sorry for Taylor. I pray God gives Taylor and her daughter strength in this time of loss, hope and faith in the days ahead.

This is so sad. I know they were in knee deep in debt (according to his lawyer), and going through a divorce. Still no reason to off yourself and leave 3 children behind (2 from a previous marriage).

Poor Kennedy

Mel

 

[Melanie]

I don't believe you can say that someone with children does not have the "right" to committ suicide...when someone does take their own life, they are generally not seeing any other way...and may well know their children will be cared for. In any case, I am not sure that a suicidal parent is of much use to a child...I know some people who lost a parent to suicide and they are more compassionate people than most, because they understand that sometimes people just can't bear to live, for whatever reason.

If anything, people with children should not have the "right" to committ murder, such as the suspect in the little girl's case , Breeann...look what that guy's children will endure. I think it would be far easier for them if he had simply killed himself and left the little girl to live her life...
jmo

Very well said. I'm sorry that those around him didn't see the depth of his despair. He must have hid it quite well

 

[ohiogirl]

I, also, got the impression from the show that he was kind of unfriendly and controlling. But, I later got the feeling that he just didn't want his life blasted all over the tv and really didn't want to be a part of the show.
Suicide is a really bad way to go, imo. He must have been really at his wits end. RIP

 

[ohiogirl]

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/44173...ent/t/will-housewives-continue-after-suicide/

 

[Linda7NJ]

P. S. I hate these shows...all of them and especially "The Real Ones". There is nothing remotely "real" about these people or these women. I have, on occasion, had to suffer through some episodes but would rather clean the toilets than have to do it again. JMO.

BBM Then I am formally asking you over on the nights the RHW's are on tv. I'll have cleaning products on hand:crazy:

 

[ohiogirl]

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2011/08/russell-armstrong-housewives.html

The 47-year-old, who described himself as a venture capitalist, was a struggling entrepreneur who racked up $12 million in debt in the tech bust and had recently been sued with his wife for allegedly diverting investors' money

 

[ohiogirl]

He said the producers at Bravo told Russell and Taylor that they picked them as the 'disaster couple,' and if they weren't going to have drama in the second season, they would cut them and replace them with someone else."

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-russell-armstrong-20110817,0,3391963.story

How horrible of Bravo if this is true.

 

[kljohnson0458]

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2011/08/russell-armstrong-housewives.html

The 47-year-old, who described himself as a venture capitalist, was a struggling entrepreneur who racked up $12 million in debt in the tech bust and had recently been sued with his wife for allegedly diverting investors' money

Hmmmm wonder how the stock market drops affected him?

 

[kljohnson0458]

Not a Taylor fan at all and Russell always gave me the creeps but I am saddened in that he felt this was his way out. I feel badly for Taylor and Kennedy and his two by another marriage. I hope they find peace.

If TMZ in fact said that to them about being the disaster couple, it's just wrong on all counts.

 

[ohiogirl]

Bravo should either edit out the Armstrong's struggles this season, or just not show the whole thing. It would be way too disrespectful for them to show this now that he is gone, imo.

 

[Prancy]

I read yesterday that Taylor was in great pain over the effect this would have on Russell's two other children, boys age 11 and 13, I think. I didn't know he had other kids. I must have missed that part on the show.

I read today that Taylor and a friend are the ones who discovered Russell's body and called 911. How horrible that would be. Regardless of the way I have felt about Taylor, I wouldn't wish that kind of thing on anyone. God bless her. That's going to be a terrible memory to live with.

http://www.tmz.com/2011/08/16/taylo...uicide-death-discovered-body/#comments-anchor

 

[lizzybeth]

He creeped me out big time and I couldn't stand him but now that little girl has no father. It was pretty obvious that Taylor was only with him because of his money. Well if he was in debt up to his ears Taylor is in real trouble now. My first husband killed himself just like Russel did and he didn't leave a note either. Insurance policies are not paid on suicides so Taylor is going to be in a real bad place now. I hope she won't blame herself but I know from experience that she will blame herself and will have to live with it the rest of her life.

JenniferTX, insurance companies not paying on suicides isn't necessarily so. I think it depends on how long the policy has been in force (I'm speaking from experience). I doubt Russell had enough insurance though to cover all the debt he left behind. Taylor will probably be filing bankruptcy.

 

[JenniferTx]

I read yesterday that Taylor was in great pain over the effect this would have on Russell's two other children, boys age 11 and 13, I think. I didn't know he had other kids. I must have missed that part on the show.

I read today that Taylor and a friend are the ones who discovered Russell's body and called 911. How horrible that would be. Regardless of the way I have felt about Taylor, I wouldn't wish that kind of thing on anyone. God bless her. That's going to be a terrible memory to live with.

http://www.tmz.com/2011/08/16/taylo...uicide-death-discovered-body/#comments-anchor

Since Taylor was the one who found him the rest of her days will be haunted by the image she saw. I know I can still close my eyes and relive the day I found my husband hanging in our closet. I feel for her and never thought in a million years I would have anything in common with Taylor. Talk about strange since Russell killed himself the same way my first husband did after learning I was going to file for divorce. Divorce would have been a simpler solution instead of suicide. I feel really bad for Taylor and know she will forever be a different person because of this tragic event.

 

[Prancy]

JenniferTx, so sorry to hear of your past experience. This recent death must really hit home for you. I can't imagine your pain.

I wonder if this experience will pull the ladies on the show together. I can't imagine squabbling over dinner plans and other trivial matters after something so earth shattering happens.

 

[chasing.halos]

Jennifertx, I am so very sorry you had to go through that.

I lost my best friend to suicide. I did not find his body though- and I cannot imagine if I had.

Anyways, I wanted to send hugs your way. :grouphug:

In this case, I feel like it was Russell's last "power" over the life of his wife. She will now be forever haunted I hope she pulls through this. IMHO she seems like a troubled soul, searching for what is right for her. I hope she finds it.

 

[Fairy1]

I saw Russell's attorney on the Today show this morning and he was disgusting. He seemed to want to blame everything on Taylor.

IMO, Russell's suicide was not borne of desperation or depression but was his last act of control over and punishment for Taylor. Shame on him for leaving his wife and daughter to live with his selfish act forever.