Russell Armstrong's Family Thinks He Was Murdered
Credit: Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic
Although Russell Armstrong's mid-August death was ruled a suicide, grieving family members of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star suspect foul play.
"We want a murder investigation," Armstrong's mother, John Ann Hotchkiss, told Us Weekly. "We will do whatever is necessary to proceed."
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Russell, the estranged husband of Taylor Armstrong, was found hanging from an electrical cord tied to an exposed beam in a private L.A. home Aug. 15. He was 47 and left behind three children.
Although his grieving mom acknowledges that Russell was "feeling a little overwhelmed because of finances" (he had been accused of defrauding investors, amid other woes), Hotchkiss insisted he was never suicidal.
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"Russell was personable and warm and had a giving heart more than anyone I have ever known," she said. "He cared about people, and loved his children almost to a fault. Knowing him as a person and how he valued life, I don't think he would do this,” she said.
"The general consensus of everyone we know who loved and knew Russell," she explained, is that "he was murdered and there was a set up."
Hotchkiss didn't go into further detail about her late son's potential killer. "No one is accusing Bravo. We think someone conspired to have him murdered and it is open as to who did it."
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Still, she faults reality TV for damaging Russell and Taylor's marriage beyond repair. "If they hadn't been signed up for the show, I honestly believe in the bottom of my heart they would still be together," she said of the "emotionally brutal show."
Bravo had no comment when reached by Us.
Russell's family had a memorial service last Friday in his native Texas. (After his remains were cremated, his ashes were divided between Taylor, 40, and his parents; some of his ashes were interred in the family plot.)
"It went beautifully. It was lovely, low key and a good attendance."
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Meanwhile, Hotchkiss was put off by Monday's second-season premiere of RHOBH.
"[It] was a total slap in the face," she said. "It just showed how superficial and shallow [Bravo] is...they don't care about anyone. They just care about ratings."
Still, she was touched by Kyle Richards' and Camille Grammer's demeanor during the special sit-down segment that started off the show. "I thought Kyle was kind and I appreciate what she said. It was as kind as those ladies can be in that atmosphere. And Camille was her usual reserved, lady-like manner," she said.
Hotchkiss also hopes that her late son is not featured in any way as the show's second season progresses. "I don't want his name mentioned. I don't care how it affects the show."
Tell Us What You Think
19I am sorry..plenty of you will no agree with me and that is ok. I was beaten shot at etc. by my husband. SO I do sympthazie with abused women. However...I feel there is MUCH more to this story than is being told. I believe that all is not right here. I also think they SHOULD do an investigation into Russell's death. It is easy to lay blame on him. BUT..it was said earlier on that there was money isses and Taylor was really needing ALOT of attention. I find it hard to believe that with all the cameras ec....NO ONE SAW ANYTHING???????
Taylor I hope that you and your daughter can move on and find true happiness and from what I have read you both sure deserve it!
It was a cowardly selfish act and easy way out......
I am really disgusted how family members are milking this for all they can. First, his Mom says he was despondent and driven to suicide thanks to Bravo, now her and her daughter are getting on television saying he was now murdered? By who? The guy was down and out, even seeking a full bottle of Xanax which his friend refused to give him, so his suicide makes perfect sense. He stopped taking calls and hung himself! Why the hell are these family members trying to make drama so they can get on television? It's sick! Let Russell rest in peace. And on a final note, Taylor selling her beaten face pics is horrible. She will never be hurt again by Russell, so why turn around and hurt his children by publishing pictures of her battered face? Oh, that's right, she needs money! All the people involved in this are just after cash. Poor Russell didn't seem to have anyone in his life who truly cared......
If found guilty he would be going to jail and in addition to his finance and divorce problems he decided to end it. Still think it is sad though.
I watched all the shows. I did not get the impression that Bravo depicted Russell as a cruel person. My impression was that Russell just was not interested in partying and that him and Taylor were not on the same page in life. He did seem like a nice man to me. I don't believe Taylor had anything to do with his death. Maybe his business partner murdered him or maybe some loan sharks murdered both of them, but because of the type of bruising he had on his body it does sound like murder to me. RIP Russell - not all of us thought you were a bad guy. My thoughts go out to your whole family, Taylor included.
I agree Cristina. Maybe something hidden that would destroy him. Crooked business, who knows.
While this situation is tragic, to be so bitter towards Bravo and the show is rather misplaced. No one made them do the show, you have to go after being on this show so this was a decision THEY made. If anyone thought having your life splashed all over t.v. was going to be easy then they need to have their head examined. Being on the show may have helped to make this individual feel more over whelmed but they wre not forced to participate and its hardly Bravo's fault.
there was no suicde note?
He kills himself, then his business partner kills himself. That, right there, is fishy.
Sad that suicide leaves so many unanswered questions. The emptiness felt by those left behind is only a small part of the emptiness the person who was so overwhelmed, they had to leave, felt. There is a lot of denial involved here. So sad.
Sounds like he wasn't the only one in denial, so is his family. SAD!
Had a great Labor day weekend, I finished reading The Help. On Monday we went to see the movie, it was one of the best movies Gus and I have seen in a long time. It makes you think about how people were treated.
I think he was too
Greedy greedy scum....
Would ANY Mother acknowledge that their son who was "feeling a little overwhelmed because of finances" committed suicide? I think not. If anyone deserves any $ from a lawsuit it's his surviving children. Shame on his Mother.
That is alot of BS Taylor is quilty and she knows it
You never know.
Quite a few people think something just isn't right.