When Does Reality TV Become Too Real?
I was shocked to see breaking local news that Taylor Armstrong’s husband, Russell Armstrong, had committed suicide on Monday night. Taylor, a “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” personality, had filed for divorce in July citing her estranged husband with physical and verbal abuse. Russell’s attorney, Ronald Richards, said the 47-year-old was upset over his wife’s divorce filing, living beyond his financial means, and running out of credit. “He didn’t want his marriage to end,” Richards said. “They were raising [their daughter] together. It came as a shock.” The Los Angeles County Coroner had ruled Russell’s death a suicide by hanging after an autopsy on Wednesday. He said Russell did not leave a note. As a huge fan of RHBH, I was stunned that Russell committed suicide but I wasn’t surprised that Taylor, 40, had filed for divorce. Throughout Season 1, Russell certainly seemed controlling and demeaning to Taylor. In one episode when the cast was in Las Ve...