August 2004: Barbara files for divorce from Russell and obtains a temporary restraining order on behalf of their then-6-year-old son, Aiden. In a sworn declaration, she alleges that her husband slapped their child and had acted violently toward him on multiple occasions. Barbara also claims that Russell spanked his other son, Griffin (from another relationship), "so hard that he was lifted off the floor and he cried."

"His physical abuse of me was one of the major reason that we separated only months after Aiden was born," Barbara states.

Also included in the filing is a declaration from ex-girlfriend Claudia Haro, who claims that Russell hit her during the six months they dated and that she witnessed him slapping Aiden.

Russell swore in a separate declaration that an investigator from Child Services had looked into their situation and found no evidence of "inappropriate conduct."

Oct. 16, 2005: Russell files for Chapter 7 bankruptcy after he's unable to pay $48,742 he owes American Express.

Oct. 27, 2005: Russell and Taylor tie the knot, his second marriage.

March 22, 2006: Russell's bankruptcy filing is converted to Chapter 11.

May 11, 2011: Taylor's rep denies reports that she and Russell have split up, saying they are "both really committed to making their marriage work."

July 15, 2011: Taylor announces that she has filed for divorce, calling it a "difficult decision," but one that's in her family's best interests. In her petition, she cites their date of separation as July 1, requests primary physical custody and joint legal custody of their 5-year-old daughter, Kennedy, and asks that her maiden name be restored.

July 29, 2011: Taylor and Russell are both named in a $1.5 million lawsuit filed by a company that claimed Russell's company misappropriated funds and Taylor helped him spend his ill-gotten gains.

Aug. 15, 2011: Bravo sends out a RHOBH press release noting that one of Taylor's plot points this season will be her continuing struggles with "a loveless marriage." Taylor had told E! News that the coming season would include, for her, "a lot more tears and a lot more pain."

Aug. 15, 2011: Russell Armstrong commits suicide by hanging. He is survived by his wife, their daughter and two sons from previous relationships. An autopsy is expected to take place on Wednesday.

Aug. 16, 2011: Barbara, Russell's ex-wife and mother of his 13-year-old son Aiden, keeps things classy and impersonal by flat-out blaming Taylor for her ex's death. She tells RadarOnline.com: "I don't care for her at all. I think she's the reason for this."

Aug. 16, 2011: Russell's longtime attorney, Ronald Richards, tells E! News that he spoke to his client two days ago, and he "seemed fine...just dealing with the normal problems affiliated with the divorce." Richards had been representing Russell in both his divorce and an ongoing civil suit.

Then again, "fine" didn't necessarily mean that Russell wasn't troubled.

"Anytime you have one spouse become famous and the other one stays the same, it creates problems," says Richards of Russell's shifting dynamic with Taylor. Negative remarks made about him on Real Housewives "definitely" bothered him, the lawyer says.

"He was always depressed," says Richards. "He was always disappointed about the divorce and financial issues."

But, he added, "nothing to this level. If he would have told me he was suffering to this extent I would have helped him. I would have gone over to his house last night. He was a good guy."

Asked whether Russell's estate would prove difficult to sort out, Richards says, "I don't believe he has any assets to worry about."

Aug. 16, 2011: A rep for Taylor tells E! News that she is "devastated by the tragic events that have unfolded."