The estranged husband of "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star Taylor Armstrong has been found dead in his Los Angeles home.
Russell Armstrong, 47, was pronounced dead at 8:16 p.m. Monday in a home on Mulholland Drive, said Los Angeles County coroner's spokesman Ed Winter. The death was caused by hanging and a suicide note hasn't been found, he said.
Bravo, which airs the reality series, issued a statement Tuesday saying, "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."
Russell Armstrong was an investment banker and venture capitalist. His relationship with his wife became part of the drama on the first season of "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills," which peeks into the privileged lives of six women living in the posh neighborhood. The official website for the show, which premiered last fall, says the second season will follow Taylor Armstrong's "struggles with a loveless marriage."
Court records show she filed for divorce on July 15 in Los Angeles. Russell Armstrong had not yet responded to her petition.
The couple was also sued last month for $1.5 million by a company that claims the pair diverted money from investors to promote their lavish lifestyle, including redecorating their mansion. The complaint states Russell Armstrong represented himself to be a successful venture capitalist who claimed he had procured $2 billion for various entities.
His publicist, Rebekah Iliff, said he's the founding managing director of Crescent Financial Partners. She also confirmed the Armstrongs were in the midst of a divorce.
It is not known how Russell Armstrong's death might affect the show's second season, which is set to premiere in September. Bravo representatives did not immediately respond to calls and emails seeking comment.
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