Real Housewives Of Salt Lake City Mary Cosby Shares Heartbreaking Statement After Robert Jr’s Death: ‘Our Beloved Son’
Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star Mary Cosby is mourning the death of her only child, Robert Cosby Jr, who has died at the age of 23.
News of Robert’s passing was first reported by TMZ, which stated he died in Utah on Monday, February 23. Police in Salt Lake City confirmed that officers were called that evening to a “full arrest/medical emergency” involving a 23-year-old man, described as a possible overdose, with fire and paramedics also sent to the scene. An official cause of death has not been released, and authorities say the death investigation remains open.
Mary later confirmed the devastating news in a statement shared with TMZ. “Our beloved son Robert Jr. has been called home to the Lord,” she said. “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.”
Robert was Mary’s only child with husband Robert Cosby Sr.
Tributes have started to flow from the Bravo world and beyond. Andy Cohen shared a message 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.”
Fans of RHOSLC had already seen parts of Robert’s life and struggles unfold on-screen. In a November 2024 episode, he spoke frankly about using substances including heroin, Xanax, acid, Molly, cocaine and OxyContin, and described how his drug use escalated over time. He told his mum he mixed Xanax with other drugs and said taking pills felt like “adding seasoning” to his life. Mary later admitted she was “truly shocked” by the confession and said she tried not to judge him so he would feel safe opening up.
Off camera, Robert had several run-ins with the law. He was arrested for a DUI in 2022 and ultimately pleaded guilty in that case. In 2025, he was arrested again on multiple charges, including alleged trespassing and assault, and later pleaded guilty. Mary has previously spoken about her son spending time in an in-patient rehab facility and said in late 2024 that he had “completed it” and “came out a new person”, while acknowledging he’d had setbacks in his sobriety.
At the RHOSLC season six reunion, which aired last month, Mary grew emotional talking about Robert being incarcerated but said she was relieved he was somewhere he wasn’t using. “At some point, I have to step back so that he can learn and he can make his own decision, and unfortunately, he’s learning the hard way,” she said, adding that as a parent “you don’t wanna see your kid suffer” but she hoped it would keep him alive.
Just weeks after that reunion aired, Robert was released from jail earlier in February. Filming for RHOSLC‘s seventh season was rumoured to begin this week, with Mary expected to return. Now, fans, friends and the Bravo community are rallying around the Cosby family as they grieve an unimaginable loss.
Image: WWHL / RHOSLC
