Robert Cosby Jr., the son of Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star Mary Cosby, has died at age 23.
According to the Salt Lake City Police Department, he was found dead on Monday, February 23 in an apparent overdose. The 23-year-old is the only son of Mary and her husband, Robert Cosby Sr.
The couple shared their heartbreak in a statement to HELLO!, saying: “Our beloved son Robert Jr. has been called home to the Lord. Though our hearts ache, we take comfort in God’s promise and in knowing he is finally at peace. We are grateful for your prayers and trust in the Lord to carry us through this time of sorrow.”
RHOSLC’s network Bravo also shared their sympathies to HELLO!, writing: “We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Mary’s beloved son, Robert Jr. Mary is a cherished member of our family, and our thoughts, love, and deepest condolences are with her and her loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.”
And Andy Cohen, who is the executive producer of RHOSLC, reacted to Robert’s passing on Threads, writing: “Devastatingly sad news out of SLC. 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.”
In recent years, Mary has shared publicly about Robert’s struggles with addiction. And in November 2025, Robert’s estranged wife, Alexiana Smokoff, filed for divorce after three years of marriage. The 23-year-old was later arrested after violating a protective order from Alexiana’s family and was released from the Salt Lake City County Metro Jail in February after serving two months.
© InstagramWho is Mary Cosby?
Mary is a key member of the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City and has been a member of the reality show cast since 2020. She is a pastor at the Faith Temple Pentecostal Church, taking over from her late grandmother.
During the Bravo show’s sixth reunion, which filmed in December and aired last month, Mary spoke about Robert’s arrest.
“Unfortunately he’s learning the hard way, but I’m okay with it,” Mary told host Andy Cohen at the time. “It’s just, you don’t wanna see your kid suffer, but I know it’s good, and I’d rather him be there than dead.”
© Getty ImagesDuring the fifth season, Mary and Robert shared an emotional on-camera conversation where her son admitted that he first started experimenting with drugs when he was 16-years-old. His drug use continued to escalate, with him abusing substances like Xanax, Adderall, cocaine, and acid.
“I just felt like a stain, I felt like a stain. “I just felt like this world wasn’t for me.” Robert told his mother before going to rehab.
The last time Mary posted Robert to her almost 480k Instagram followers before her son’s tragic death was on February 7. She shared a photo of Robert, writing: “Thank you all for your prayers.” Many of her Real Housewives co-stars commented, with her RHOLSC co-star Bronwyn Newport writing: “So happy he is home with you.”
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