'Real Housewives' Taylor Armstrong "devastated" by Russell death

Taylor Armstrong has appealed for privacy following the death of her estranged husband Russell.

The reality television star was found dead at his home on Monday evening. The LA coroner's office has confirmed that he committed suicide.

A spokesperson for Taylor said in a statement: "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.

"Her thoughts and prayers are also with Russell's 11- and 13-year-old sons."

The couple have 5-year-old Kennedy together, while Russell was also father to sons Aiden and Griffin from previous relationships.

TMZ has claimed that Taylor was present when her husband's body was discovered by a roommate at the Mulholland Drive property where he had been staying.

Russell's lawyer Ronald Richards also told the publication that although his client was "disappointed" about ongoing divorce proceedings, he did not think that he was "displaying any signs whatsoever of something that would cause him to take his own life".

Richards added that he had last spoken to Russell "in the last couple of days".

Bravo, the network behind Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, expressed its condolences in a short statement on Tuesday evening, saying that its staff were "deeply saddened by this tragic news".