Robert Cosby Jr., the son of Mary M. Cosby from The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, has died.
He passed away on Feb. 23 at the age of 23 in Utah. Police responded to a medical emergency involving a possible overdose, according to authorities.
Mary Cosby and Robert Cosby Sr. later shared a statement about their son’s passing. They said their hearts were heavy but that they found comfort in their faith and believed Robert Jr. was now at peace.
Bravo also expressed sadness over the news and offered condolences to Mary and her family during this difficult time.
The story was first reported by TMZ.
Robert Jr. had previously spoken openly about his struggles with addiction. During season 5 of the show, he shared that he began using drugs as a teenager after trying Xanax at a party. Over time, his substance use increased and included both prescription medications and illegal drugs.
He described feeling emotionally numb and admitted that he had experienced thoughts of wanting to die. In an emotional conversation, he told his mother that she was the reason he kept going.
In late 2024, Mary shared that Robert Jr. completed a stay in rehabilitation and said he returned feeling like a different person.
Robert Jr. also faced legal challenges in recent years. In 2022, he was arrested for driving under the influence. Later, he was involved in additional incidents that led to multiple charges.
Following one of his arrests, Mary said the experience was painful but believed it may have helped him realize the need for change. Robert Jr. also spoke about trying to improve his life, saying he was making progress even if he was not yet where he wanted to be.
At a recent reunion episode of the show, Mary said she hoped her son was in a safer place and emphasized how difficult it is for parents to watch their children struggle.
