BEL AIR—In the aftermath of the suicide of businessman Russell Armstrong, who appeared on the hit Bravo TV series “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” many are accusing the television show for Armstrong’s depression and apparent suicide, claiming that he felt humiliated having his personal life aired on the show, which his wife was a major character on, and that his financial issues were also an added stress that became too unbearable to deal with. On Monday night, Armstrong, who was staying at a friend’s home on the 14000 block of Mulholland Drive, was found in a guest bedroom at the estate. Armstrong was found dead after hanging himself, and L.A. Assistant Chief County Coroner Ed Winter told Canyon News, “He was pronounced dead at 8:16 p.m. on Monday. Mr. Armstrong was 47 years old.”

Russell and Taylor Armstrong. Photo by Bravo

Accusations and blame soon followed, with many claiming his wife Taylor Armstrong had made their divorce such a tabloid story, which was reported on by various American entertainment publications, and they are alleging his death was caused by the added attention to his divorce and financial problems. The estranged couple had separated and had moved out of their Beverly Hills home separately, but wife Taylor claimed in earlier legal filings and also publicly that she had been a battered wife, and said that Russell Armstrong’s financial issues became a serious problem in their marriage. Armstrong was reportedly at least $12 million in debt at the time of his death.

The couple’s 5-year-old daughter Kennedy had appeared on the television show alongside her parents, and many anti-reality TV advocates claim that the reality television curse is real. While many of Armstrong’s relatives and his attorney spoke out this week in the media, claiming he was being coerced by Bravo and producers of the show to either be the cast member along with his wife, who were disliked, or that they’d replace the couple with new talent on the show. Bravo has denied ever forcing or encouraging the couple to feud either on air or to air their private marital problems publicly. In fact, on Tuesday morning “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, executive Andy Cohen said, “All of us are deeply saddened by this tragic news. Our sympathy and thoughts are with the Armstrong family at this difficult time.”

An autopsy was conducted on Wednesday by the L.A. County Coroner, but no official toxicology or other findings were released. Since Armstrong’s death, it has been reported that he was also accused of domestic battery by his first wife, however, when Canyon News tried to contact her for comment, we were told that she was unavailable for comment at this time. They had two sons, ages 11 and 13.

No comment from the friend who owned the home where he was staying at the time of his death. It is said that on Monday night the friend became concerned and found the door locked, then entered, finding Armstrong’s body. The venture capitalist, who was extremely successful at one point in his career had been battling legal, financial and personal issues for some time. Armstrong’s mother, John Ann Hotchkiss, appeared on Headline News this week and suggested that her son was feeling humiliated by the way he was portrayed on the TV show that he and wife Taylor were appearing. She told an HLN host that her son said, “Mom, they’re just going to crucify me this season. I don’t know what to do. I’ll never survive it.” Adding, that her son also told her, “The network only cares about the ratings, they do not care if people are hurt, or if it destroys their marriage.” Hotchkiss went on to say that she watched the show destroy her son’s marriage as well.

While Armstrong’s attorney Ronald Richards said earlier in the week, that the contestant spent his savings trying to make himself and his wife seem wealthy enough to be on the show. He stated his client Russell Armstrong settled a lawsuit accusing him of siphoning off money from a business to pay for a redecorated home, which was just one of his apparent expenses.

A spokeswoman for Bravo declined to comment on whether the “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” will debut its second season as planned on September 5. Further they stated, that there will be no comment at this time. In July, Russell Armstrong in an interview with People magazine said, “The show pushed us to the limit.”

On Tuesday morning, Taylor’s close friend and co-star Adrienne Maloof tweeted, “My heart goes out to Taylor Armstrong and Kennedy during this devastating time. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.” Canyon News reached out to Maloof’s personal chef Bernie Guzman, who has worked for Maloof for several years and has appeared on “Real Housewives” himself, and who has been a private chef for stars such as Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, Mary J. Blige and Phyllis Diller. Guzman tells Canyon News exclusively, “It is always sad when you feel death is the only way out. My prayers go out to Taylor and Kennedy at this time.”

Russell Armstrong is survived by his wife Taylor and 5-year-old daughter Kennedy. Armstrong has two sons from a previous relationship.