Shocking News: Russell Armstrong Commits Suicide

38 Comments

1. 1
   Classy Drunk
   Posted August 16, 2011 at 8:37 am

   That is really sad. I am sure the divorce was hard enough on them, but now his death.

2. 2
   Libithina
   Posted August 16, 2011 at 8:48 am

   Oh my god. What A mind fuck. I can see this being said at one point, “If you leave, I’ll kill myself.” Her daughter is going to completely resent her. This is so sad

3. 3
   marijai
   Posted August 16, 2011 at 8:53 am

   Poor Kennedy.

4. 4
   mick
   Posted August 16, 2011 at 9:05 am

   Holy shit.

5. 5
   Faye
   Posted August 16, 2011 at 9:09 am

   Suicide – a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Feel bad for his family, for Taylor and for their daughter.

6. 6
   June Summer
   Posted August 16, 2011 at 9:16 am

   OMG

7. 7
   truthsquad
   Posted August 16, 2011 at 9:33 am

   I don’t understand why people on the brink of a personal crisis…divorce, business failure, foreclosure, etc…sign up for these shows and put themselves through this. The increased public scrutiny must be hell, as all your failures and humiliations go public. In Russell’s case, being protrayed as cold and controlling on the show was one thing, but being publicly labeled an abusive husband this Summer might have been the final straw. Very tragic all the way around.

8. 8
   NotWithoutMyTV
   Posted August 16, 2011 at 9:48 am

   Well, this ought to be good for a patented Housewife “it’s been a tough year, but I’m stronger than ever” story arc.

   Andy’s minions are probably scripting it as we speak.

9. 9
   Nikki Hughes
   Posted August 16, 2011 at 10:24 am

   OH.MAH.GAWD. wow

10. 10
    Where's My Coffee?
    Posted August 16, 2011 at 10:32 am

    Shocking news. I agree with Thruthsquad about him being pushed over the edge. What a horrible man to do that to his daughter. She’s old enough that this will impact her for the rest of her life.

    But on a superficial note, I hope this doesn’t delay the start of the series next month. I know. I’m heartless.

11. 11
    Classy Drunk
    Posted August 16, 2011 at 10:45 am

    At least they have time to edit unlike when Kandi’s finacee died after the filming. The last show or two were very tough to watch knowing that the guy died.

12. 12
    giffordsaz
    Posted August 16, 2011 at 10:49 am

    Awe Cofee, I’m glad I wasn’t the first, but as long as you opened the door watch out I am coming through. This is sad in a human level for his family, but what a fucking relief that the divorce isn’t being drug out. If he was low on money hopefully he has life insurance to support his child for the future.

    On my mind…. starting a list of douchebags who can take the easy way out and clean up my reality
    Spencer
    Brenden………
    who would you add?

13. 13
    pompomsrevenge
    Posted August 16, 2011 at 10:59 am

    Where’s My Coffee: I am a woman whose father committed suicide when I was 4 years old, and I find your statement shockingly offensive. My father killed himself for many reasons, but none of which was that he was a horrible person. I hope Kennedy never encounters IRL anyone as cruel and lacking empathy as you.

14. 14
    sarcasatire
    Posted August 16, 2011 at 11:02 am

    When I first saw this post, I was shocked. And saddened. But now I think Russell is a coward. How could he leave his daughter (and his other children) with the stigma of having a parent who committed suicide? Questions of, “Why didn’t I mean enough to him to want to live?” will be asked to many a therapist. Incredibly selfish.

    I would hate for them to edit Russell out..or to try and change Taylor from the villian she’s becoming to a sympathetic character based on what happened after the show stopped filming. True, it would suck to be villainized based on actions of last season and the filming that hasn’t even aired yet, when one is currently suffering through the death of a spouse. But to edit out her marital discord would be skewing reality a bit too much for me. We all know she discussed it, we all know they separated, we all know she filed for divorce. So, to not show that would be dishonest because this is Russell’s truth..this is part of his pain, this may help him to be more understood. It’s like watching a documentary and someone gets killed midway through..they don’t go back and edit them out like they never existed. They keep it there because it’s conducive to the story.

    Either way..I feel really bad for Kennedy. She’s old enough to understand that Daddy isn’t coming back. She’s old enough to understand that Mommy is miserable over this and will be for some time. I sure hope Taylor has some strong familial support to help her get through this.

15. 15
    fatgirlsrule
    Posted August 16, 2011 at 11:21 am

    who?

16. 16
    2muchbravo
    Posted August 16, 2011 at 11:22 am

    OMG! I can’t believe it. I feel so badly for the little girl she’s going to be plagued by this for the rest of her life. He must have been dealing with more demons that we saw on camera. Really sad situation.
    Frankly, I hope Bravo doesn’t re-edit what they’ve already done. I think they should post a disclaimer at the beginning of the series along the lines that everything was filmed and edited before his death.

17. 17
    plockeness monster
    Posted August 16, 2011 at 11:27 am

    Don’t watch the show, but I am with sarcasatire, suicide is the cowardly way out. It’s selfish and only hurts those who are still alive and in your life.

18. 18
    Classy Drunk
    Posted August 16, 2011 at 11:28 am

    I am not thinking of myself in the editing. I am thinking of Kennedy and Russell’s family. He may not have been the greatest guy based on his portray on the show but I am sure that would continue the hurt and pain for his family.

19. 19
    Fan-Ann
    Posted August 16, 2011 at 11:38 am

    I hope that Taylor commits herself to helping her daughter in every way possible now and in the future. This is not about television or fame anymore, it is about the future health and happiness of her child. I would start by getting her a puppy.

20. 20
    eurotra$h
    Posted August 16, 2011 at 11:39 am

    I just have to say that to namecall suiciders is just plain wrong. My best friend who was also a mother, firmly believed it would be better if she was gone.I have come to understand this. Their soulsickness and depression leads them to believe that they are helping their loved ones by removing themselves.

21. 21
    lindaw205
    Posted August 16, 2011 at 11:40 am

    Sorry for being so cynical but I bet Bobblehead is jumping up and down with glee knowing his ratings will go through the roof.

22. 22
    NotWithoutMyTV
    Posted August 16, 2011 at 11:43 am

    Andy fuckin’ Cohen should buy ME a puppy.

23. 23
    mulecitybabe
    Posted August 16, 2011 at 11:48 am

    Luckily for Kennedy her selfish mother Taylor showed her last year that love is not permanent by getting rid of the puppy her daddy gave her. I’m sure Taylor will tell her daughter that Daddy went to be with the puppy or some such drivel. Taylor is superficial enough to get over it, but I’m sure she’ll play the grieving widow for a long time to come.

24. 24
    sarcasatire
    Posted August 16, 2011 at 11:58 am

    You’re right..I shouldn’t have called him a coward. I should have said that suicide is a cowardly way to deal with one’s problems, (excluding those whose realities are altered by mental illness.) I’m talking about people like those guys who tossed themselves out of windows when the stock market crashed. I don’t feel much sympathy for them but I feel tons for those left to clean up the figurative (and literal) mess.

    I also read on TMZ that Russell committed suicide..in his friend’s house! How fucked up is that? His friend may have been lending a hand to Russell, inviting him over, and now his home becomes forever stigmatized. I hope it doesn’t seem selfish of me to think of how Russell’s act affects his friend home and sanctuary, not to mention the property values.

    I had a family member commit suicide. My cousin’s dad. Her mom died from cancer the year before, and her paternal grandmother died a few months later. Her dad was distraught to lose both his mom and wife, but he still had his daughter, right? He became so depressed, only living in the past, and then took his life (in a hotel), leaving his daughter all alone. Selfish. She was such a Daddy’s girl..she would never hate him, but he devastated her and caused her so much pain. Hadn’t she already suffered enough?

25. 25
    hlesczyn
    Posted August 16, 2011 at 12:19 pm

    I’ve watched the RHNYC and RHOOC since their inception and I wonder how many of the persons involved wished they could just go back in time and never have signed up. It seems like the majority started the program as happy, interestingly “kooky” ladies out for an adventure and six – seven years later it’s like morose and pathetic shells.

26. 26
    NotWithoutMyTV
    Posted August 16, 2011 at 12:20 pm

    The insensitivity that I and other people are demonstrating is the cost of being entertained by reality TV. Bravo and its ilk do too good of a job at making its reality stars into cartoonish characters who aren’t even real people that you can relate too. You just want to see them fall down and go boom, pull each others hair, and embarrass themselves in public. So, when something bad happens to them in real life, it’s hard to have empathy. Bravo worked hard to make Taylor’s husband look bad; the whole television viewing world wants to see Camille drawn and quartered. There’s no separation between the reality show character and the person who plays them. This is what we’ve chosen to watch–this is what we find entertaining. And if you watch mean TV, you’re going to end up a little mean yourself.

    I used to volunteer with disadvantaged inner-city children. Now I’m like the honey badger: I don’t give a shit.

27. 27
    ohralphie
    Posted August 16, 2011 at 2:08 pm

    It’s awful for Russell and most especially his family and daughter. I won’t disparge him, he clearly had problems that we cannot understand. Depression is a hideously real thing, and it can end in suicide. I’m only grateful that Russell didn’t take the real cowards way out by killing his famiy and then himself.

    As for Taylor…..I think (can’t remember her name, Giggys mom?) said in the previews “(Taylor) is a manipulative bitch”. I am not saying Taylor is responsible for Russells suicide, but I am saying that she will land on her feet.

28. 28
    Where's My Coffee?
    Posted August 16, 2011 at 2:45 pm

    @pompomsrevenge I’m sorry about your dad. I guess my feeling sorry for Russell’s daughter hit you wrong. I’m not going to apologize for being disgusted in Russell since now another little girl carries the pain you’ve carried. Unfortunately, if you’re looking for heartfelt commentaries & sentiments on a gossip site, you’re going to get your feelings inadvertently hurt.

    Again, I’m very sorry for your loss. I said nothing offensive about what Russell did, and I don’t think people need to censor their opinions as long as they don’t go overboard. I’d advise reading other commentaries on the web as what’s been written here is way mild in comparison.

29. 29
    Where's My Coffee?
    Posted August 16, 2011 at 2:47 pm

    should have said I’d advise _against_ reading other commentaries.

30. 30
    Tadow
    Posted August 16, 2011 at 3:43 pm

    As an SWWS (Social Worker With Snark) I’ve enjoyed visiting TVGasm for years for the colorful commentary and anonymity. I very rarely chime in with a social worky response; this time I dare. Having been affected by suicide, and having witnessed the suffering of others who have lost a loved one through a completed attempt, this is a subject I feel strongly about and have undergone intensive trainings in effort to better understand. Suicideal ideation and depression were described in a way that made total sense to me at one point — imagine being locked in a burning room that is only getting hotter, suddenly the window begins to make sense. I only hope that Taylor seeks care for herself, so that she is able to support Kennedy.

31. 31
    Danielle
    Posted August 16, 2011 at 5:36 pm

    Amen, Tadow..I’m a PWS (Psychotherapist with Snark) and I’ve described suicide in the same way.

32. 32
    Robinez
    Posted August 16, 2011 at 5:49 pm

    In as much as I cannot stand Taylor and I have no doubt that she contributed to his his already damaged mental state, She wasn’t the only one; http://icydk.com/201…rs-against-him/

    This was posted at the Bravo board BEFORE he commited suicide. Yes, the same Bravo that delete’s any remark that remotely disparrages any member of their cast.

    Tadow, I appreciate your post and I have no doubt that you know more about this than I do. But I have a question. If the room is on fire and the window looks good, wouldn’t you use the window in one last attempt to SAVE your life? I mean, You know you will die if you don’t jump, but at least the window gives you a chance..

    Maybe it is the analogy that is going over my head. I sincerely would like your opinion.

    Take care, Robin

33. 33
    Robinez
    Posted August 16, 2011 at 6:02 pm

    I appologize for the bad link.

    http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2011/08/real-housewife-taylor-armstrong-husband-russell-violent-past-tro

34. 34
    paganchick
    Posted August 17, 2011 at 6:02 am

    I feel horrible for Russel’s three children. I also feel bad that Taylor won’t get the opportunity to completely humiliate the man without being thought of as tacky. You know she was really looking forward to that after she went out of her way to make him look like a monster last season. Now she won’t get that chance. What’s a poor con artist to do?

35. 35
    Tadow
    Posted August 18, 2011 at 8:12 pm

    @ Danielle — thanks for the validation, lol

    @ Robin – Does it help if I tell you the room you are locked in is on the 60th floor, there’s no one else anywhere nearby, and jumping is the only way to escape slowly, painfully, cooking?

    If not I’d be glad to remove the metaphor

36. 36
    sarcasatire
    Posted August 18, 2011 at 9:03 pm

    Paganchick: if it’sany consolation, the divorce wasn’t final and Russel had no assets, so Taylor will inherit all of his debts. Millions. And no hope of alimony or any type of financial support. I even read that his credit cards were frozen so she is seriously up shit’s creek without a paddle. I hope her parents are supportive.

37. 37
    Robinez
    Posted August 18, 2011 at 9:06 pm

    Tadow, Thanks for responding. I have thought about this since I posted. I guess I mistakenly assumed that someone that deeply depressed would even see the window as an opportunity/chance.

    I still can’t wrap my mind around leaving your kid’s in, essentially the burning building and fleeing. I cannot entertain the thought that he was doing it for them.

    How much do I owe you for this session? LOL

    Take Care, Robin

38. 38
    June Summer
    Posted August 21, 2011 at 7:39 am

    @Robinez:
    Thanks for the link. TV did not ruin that monster’s life, he did. I wondered why Russell acted strange when Taylor was talking about abuse but now it makes sense. He thought she was going to tell the world how he treated the people he “loved”. He abused his first wife, the mother of his second son, his girlfriend, and his two sons way before Taylor came along.
    I did notice one thing in those papers that made me laugh. I think he was shrinking since he’s 5’11″ in some papers and 5’7″ in others.