Our Hearts Break for Mary Cosby: The Tragic Loss of Robert Cosby Jr.

WomanEdit readers, I’m coming to you with news that has absolutely shattered the reality TV world, and honestly, just shattered my heart. We’ve just received confirmation of the tragic passing of Mary Cosby’s son, Robert Cosby Jr., at the tender age of 23. This isn’t just a headline; this is a deeply painful moment for a family we’ve watched navigate so many highs and lows on our screens. Our thoughts, truly, are with Mary, Robert Sr., and their entire family during this unimaginable time.

Utah authorities confirmed that Robert Jr. died on Monday, February 23, 2026, after Salt Lake City Police responded to a call regarding a possible overdose. The cause of death is currently under investigation by the medical examiner, but the immediate circumstances paint a heartbreaking picture that aligns with the struggles we’ve witnessed Robert Jr. bravely, and sometimes painfully, share with us on The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City.

Mary Cosby Speaks Out Amidst Unimaginable Grief

In a post shared on Instagram Wednesday, Mary Cosby, an original and unforgettable cast member of RHOSLC, addressed the devastating news. She wrote that her son was “called home to the Lord” and that she finds solace in knowing he is “finally at peace.” Her statement continued, “We are grateful for your prayers and trust in the Lord to carry us through this time of sorrow.” My heart aches reading those words. As a mother, as a human, I cannot fathom the depth of her pain, but her faith, as we know from the show, is a guiding light for her. It’s hard to imagine the strength it took for her to even craft that message.

A Public Battle: Robert Jr.’s Journey with Addiction and Mental Health

Many of you, like me, have followed Robert Jr.’s incredibly challenging journey. His struggles with mental health and substance abuse were not hidden from the cameras; in fact, they became a central, raw, and deeply personal storyline in recent seasons of RHOSLC. We saw a family grappling with issues that so many face behind closed doors, brought into the harsh glare of reality television, in the hopes of perhaps helping someone else.

Just last month, during the Season 6 reunion, Mary spoke about Robert Jr. being in jail, sharing, “I know he’s somewhere where he’s not using. At some point, I have to step back so that he can learn and he can make his own decisions, and unfortunately, he’s learning the hard way. But I’m OK with it.” That quote, in hindsight, is just gut-wrenching. It was a mother’s desperate hope, a mother’s painful acceptance of a path she couldn’t control, all while holding onto the belief that perhaps, this struggle would lead him to sobriety.

Robert Jr.’s legal troubles have been well-documented, with NBC News reported that he had been released from jail earlier this month after pleading guilty in December to assault and violating a protective order. He faced more than a dozen charges between September and November related to violations of orders to stay away from his wife, Alexiana Smokoff. It was a turbulent period that clearly added immense stress and complexity to his already difficult battle.

“I just felt like a stain, I felt like a stain.”

Perhaps one of the most poignant and unforgettable moments came in RHOSLC Season 5, when Mary and Robert Jr. had an emotional on-camera conversation about his substance abuse. He bravely opened up, admitting to experimenting with drugs like Xanax, Adderall, cocaine, and acid since the age of 16. His words, “I just felt like a stain, I felt like a stain. I just felt like this world wasn’t for me,” resonated deeply. They were a raw cry for help, a window into the profound pain he was experiencing. Following that conversation, Robert Jr. did go to rehab, and Mary shared at the Season 5 reunion, “We didn’t plan on what we were going to say, but we came together, if we can help just one person then we’ll just tell our truth.” That was the hope, wasn’t it? That by sharing their truth, they could help someone else.

The Reality TV Family Reacts: A Wave of Support for Mary

The news has sent shockwaves through the Bravo community. Production for RHOSLC Season 7 has reportedly been paused as the cast and crew grapple with this tragedy. The outpouring of grief and support for Mary has been immediate and heartfelt.

Whitney Rose, who has her own deeply personal connection to addiction through her father, posted a simple yet powerful broken heart emoji on her Instagram Story. Lisa Barlow, another original cast member, shared a touching message: “May you feel God’s love and comfort. May you feel love surround you – today and always.” And of course, the king of Bravo himself, Andy Cohen, took to Threads, writing, “This is every parent’s worst nightmare. My heart is broken for Mary, and I am sending all my love to her and Robert Sr.” It’s a stark reminder that beneath all the glamour and drama, these are real people facing real-life tragedies, just like we’ve seen with some of the Vanderpump Rules reunion drama.

This is a devastating loss, and it’s a stark reminder of the pervasive and cruel grip of addiction and mental health struggles. While we loved watching Mary Cosby bring her unique spark to our screens, today, we just send her all our love and strength. May Robert Cosby Jr. finally be at peace.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse or mental health issues, please reach out for help. You are not alone. The SAMHSA National Helpline offers confidential free help, from public health agencies, to find substance use treatment and information. 1-800-662-HELP (4357).