Taylor Armstrong

A reliable source says he's seen images of Taylor Armstrong after her most recent beating at the hands of late husband Russell Armstrong, and the shots are seriously disturbing.

"I've seen shocking photos of Taylor with a deeply bruised right eye and a terrible trauma that stretched from [the mouth] to here [the eye socket]," Entertainment Tonight host Chris Jacobs says, describing the pictures as "graphic."

Allegations of abuse against Russell were first made public in late July. Most recently, a report surfaced that claimed Taylor was sent to the hospital just before The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills was scheduled to resume shooting.

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With Bravo still considering its options for The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, and with a new rumor spreading that Russell Armstrong recently broke the cheekbones of his wife, at least one aspect of this tragedy has been settled:

The late reality star will be cremated and a funeral will be held for him in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

There had reportedly been a conflict over where Russell's ashes would be spread - California or Texas - but because the couple was still married at the time of his suicide, Taylor is making the funeral arrangement.

UPDATE: There is still some controversy going on, and will now be a second service held for Russell in Texas. Ronald Richards, a lawyer for Russell, tells E! News:

"They [Taylor and her attorney] are playing fast and loose. They have kept the funeral location, service, and time secret from his mother, father, and sister.  His sister and father have told me that Taylor has not called them one time. The dispute is anyone coming to participate in the funeral in Los Angeles, not sending his remains to Texas."

Details regarding the life and recent death of Russell Armstrong continue to pour forth, with the latest report painting this reality star in a disturbingly negative light.

According to a TMZ insider, just prior to filming on season two of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Russell struck Taylor Armstrong so hard that he fractured her cheek bones and sent her to the hospital. The injuries, and subsequent photos, were "horrific," this source states.

Taylor Armstrong, Kyle Richards and Camille Grammer are all smiles in this photo. But a new report sheds light on their private pain.

Unsure how to handle the situation - would Bravo fire her for appearing uncooperative if she didn't show up for filming? - Taylor reportedly confided in Camille Grammer and Kyle Richards. She then told Russell about this conversation with her castmates.

The Bravo mole says he reacted by emailing Camille a "very threatening" message that contained "the rantings of a lunatic."

Taylor's bruises and breaks, meanwhile, required weeks to heal, delaying production on the series. Now, the actual premiere has been pushed back as the network wonders what to do about Russell's suicide.

[Photo: WENN.com]

The autopsy results are in and the coroner has made it official: Russell Armstrong died by "hanging and the final manner of death is suicide."

But why? Why did the estranged husband of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Taylor Armstrong take his own life? It's a question that will never have an answer, but two theories have emerged:

1. Money problems. Russell was facing a $1.5 million lawsuit, had no assets to his name and told People weeks before his death: "It got really overwhelming. When you get a TV show involved and all the pressure, it just takes it to a whole new level."

2. A tell-all book was reportedly on the way, according to Radar Online, that would have exposed Russell as a bisexual.

"There were people on the record that were going to talk about the kind of sex he liked," a source said. "He was into S&M type stuff; choking, rough-housing and slapping."

We hate to gossip in such a manner about the dead, but at times like this, it's hard not to wonder. Bravo, meanwhile, might delay the premiere of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills as it considers all options in dealing with this tragedy.

A new development has come to light regarding the suicide of Russell Armstrong:

Insiders confirm to TMZ that Russell's famous wife - Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Taylor Armstrong - was actually present when his body was found. Moreover, it was Taylor's panicked calls and texts that led to the discovery.

Despite their recent divorce filing, Russell and Taylor were reportedly on decent terms. They were scheduled to meet Monday afternoon. When Russell didn't show, Taylor and a friend went over to the house at which he'd been residing. They met the owner on the property there and, while Taylor stood by, he looked through the bedroom window and saw Russell's body hanging in the bathroom.

A call was subsequently placed to 911 and Russell was declared dead at 8:16 p.m. Taylor stuck around the home for a few hours afterward. She has since released a statement expressing her devastation over the incident.

[Photo: Pacific Coast News]

For the first time since her husband, Russell, took his own life, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Taylor Armstrong has issued a statement. Released through her rep, it reads:

"Taylor Armstrong is devastated by the tragic events that have unfolded. She requests privacy at this time so that she may comfort her young daughter," five-year old Kennedy, who sources say has not yet been told about her father.

Taylor also sends her"thoughts and prayers" to Russell’s 11- and 13-year-old sons from previous relationships.

The 47-year old was found dead in the home of a friend last night, his body discovered in the bathroom, with no suicide note to be found. He had recently been in the news because Taylor filed for divorce last month, citing physical and emotional abuse.

[Photo: Juan Rico/Fame Pictures]

New information has been revealed about the life of Russell Armstrong, the estranged ex-husband of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Taylor Armstrong, the day after he committed suicide by hanging.

According to attorny Ronald Richards, Russell had been staying at a friend's house due to major financial problems.

"His credit cards weren't working," Richards told TMZ. "He was also extremely bummed out about the divorce with Taylor. As far as a will, even if he does have a will, they don't have any assets, so I'm not sure what there would be left to leave. I am extremely saddened... I had no idea he was depressed."

Armstrong's fellow Real Housewives have also expressed their shock and remorse:

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The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills has turned more real than ever, in the most tragic of ways.

TMZ reports that Russell Armstrong, who appeared often on this Bravo series last season and who filed for divorce from Taylor Armstrong this summer in light of abuse allegations, hanged himself Monday night. He was 47.

Around 8 p.m. PST, authorities responded to a 911 call placed by one of Russell's roommates. They found his body hanging in the bathroom of his home on Mulholland Drive when they arrived.

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You've really gotta admire Taylor Armstrong.

Despite going through a painful divorce, the reality star was - somehow, some way, against all odds - able to rake in hundreds of thousands of dollars by exposing her personal life on season two of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

"There were a lot more tears, a lot more pain," Armstrong tells E! News, previewing the show's September 5 return. "It's been such an emotional ride for me this year. And it's one thing to experience it, but then to watch it again on television and know that millions of other people are watching, it's going to be tough."

We're guessing the padded bank account and increased fame will soften the blow a bit.

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So much for that amicable split.

Just two weeks after Taylor and Russell Armstrong filed for divorce, seemingly wishing each other well, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills cast member has come out and made some serious allegations.

"I felt like I was dying inside," Taylor tells People of her marriage to Russell, a union allegedly built on physical and mental abuse.

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