Speaking out for the first time since he was found hanged on Monday, Russell's mother said he was deeply concerned about the candid footage Bravo had obtained, charting his marriage breakdown and money woes.
While producers are now weighing up whether to pull the second series from airing in light of this week's events, John Ann Hotchkiss says her son feared TV makers were going to 'crucify' him.
'He said, "I don’t know what to do. I’ll never survive it".'
In another interview with CNN HLN’s Jane Velez-Mitchell, Russell's mother also cautioned Bravo about airing any footage involving her son.
She said that the TV station: 'Better not air one frame of my son... or else!'
Her statement comes after members of the family have previously said that the reality show and Bravo is to 'blame' for Russell's suicide.
During an exclusive interview with RadarOnline.com, Russell's stepbrother Wade Jackson revealed that the family might sue the network.
'Bravo is at fault and somebody needs to pay,' he said.
'Russell’s whole family was very close and they’re considering suing Bravo.
'Russell’s dad doesn’t want to talk about what happened to him with a lot of people, but everyone in the family thinks that Bravo is to blame.'
Russell's lawyer Ronald Richards told ABC News that his former client was also in debt to the tune of $1.5m.