‘Real Housewife of Beverly Hills’ star Taylor Armstrong discovered the body of her estranged husband in a private residence on L.A.’s Mulholland Drive, Us Weekly is reporting. The LAPD confirmed the news that the 47-year-old hanged himself on August 15, after Taylor grew concerned that she hadn’t heard from him in the days before. After speaking to a friend about her worry, Taylor and her assistant went to the house to check on Russell, the father of her five-year-old daughter, Kennedy, where they made the discovery.

Taylor’s rep released a statement, as the L.A. Coroner was in the process of examining Russell’s body, saying that she’s devastated by her husband’s death. The statement also asked for privacy as she comforts Kennedy.

Russell’s death comes after Taylor filed for divorce on July 15, 2011, citing physical and verbal abuse. The two were facing mounting financial problems, including a $1.5 million lawsuit. Just weeks before his death, Russell said life, and the pressure that came along with appearing on the popular Bravo reality show, was overwhelming.

While the couple’s marital problems were a major conflict on the first season of the hit show, the cable network hasn’t stated whether or not it will feature the investment banker and venture capitalist’s death on the second season. Their continued problems were to be featured on the upcoming season, which is set to premiere on September 5.

Written by: Karen Benardello