- Robert Jr. struggled with substance abuse, together with utilizing Xanax, Adderall, and heroin, and contemplated suicide.
- Mary blamed herself for ‘letting him down’ and ‘lacking the mark’ in addressing his habit.
- Robert Jr. had authorized troubles, together with a 2025 arrest for violating a pretrial protecting order.
UPDATED — 3:30 PM 02/25/2026
Mary Cosby has confirmed her son’s passing in a press release shared to Instagram.
“Our beloved son Robert Jr. has been known as dwelling to the Lord,” she wrote. “Though our hearts ache, we take consolation in God’s promise and in realizing he’s lastly at peace.”
Below this line, the unique story begins.
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There’s a heartbreaking replace to share concerning the son of a Real Housewife of Salt Lake City. TMZ reviews that Mary Cosby’s son, Robert Cosby Jr., has died at 23.
The outlet reviews that Robert died Monday in Utah. Salt Lake City police responded Monday night time to a name for a “full arrest/medical emergency” involving a 23-year-old male. Authorities reported that the state of affairs turned a demise investigation upon arrival. TMZ provides that the official explanation for demise has not been confirmed, although officers initially responded to what was described as a potential overdose.
Robert Jr. had appeared alongside his mom on The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City.
He was the one baby of Mary and Robert Cosby Sr., the leaders of Faith Temple Pentecostal Church in Salt Lake City. PEOPLE reviews that Mary and Robert Sr. welcomed their son in 2002 after attempting to begin a household for 4 years, she revealed throughout a Season 5 episode.
“Robert was like the proper baby,” Mary stated in a confessional interview. “He was excellent in class. He bought straight A’s all the way in which up till he graduated. When he set his thoughts to do one thing, he did it. He was like our prize, very sensible, very superior.”
Cosby made headlines in a Season 5 episode that aired in November 2024, Robert Jr., when he emotionally opened as much as his mom a few years-long battle with substance abuse. He admitted he started utilizing Xanax at 16 after attempting it at a celebration and later abused different pharmaceuticals, together with Adderall and OxyContin, at occasions taking as many as 10 capsules directly. “I couldn’t even really feel it,” he stated. As his habit escalated, he revealed that he had additionally tried heroin.
He additionally tearfully advised his mom he contemplated suicide.
“I felt like a stain — I simply felt like this world wasn’t for me,” Robert Jr. advised the pastor. “You’re the one purpose I didn’t kill myself.”
Mary tearfully blamed herself in subsequent episodes, telling cameras she felt she had “let him down someplace” and “missed the mark.” “If I don’t blame myself, whose fault is it? I really feel I’m accountable,” she stated.
Robert Jr. later accomplished a month-long stint in rehab, which Mary confirmed throughout a December 2024 look on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen.
PEOPLE reviews that in November 2025, he was arrested and accused of violating a pretrial protecting order. That identical month, he pleaded responsible to eight of 14 expenses, together with felony property injury higher than or equal to $5,000, two counts of violation of a pretrial protecting order, assault on a peace officer, violation of a jail launch courtroom order, two counts of felony trespass on a dwelling with intent to trigger annoyance, damage or worry, and misdemeanor assault. Six remaining misdemeanor expenses had been dismissed with prejudice.
He was booked into Salt Lake County Jail in November 2025 and was being held with out bail pending a February 2026 sentencing listening to.
On February 7, Mary posted an image of Robert, seemingly asserting his launch from jail.
Just one month in the past, Mary stated through the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City reunion that she was glad Robert was incarcerated, the place he couldn’t abuse medication.
“I’m comfortable, I’m in a superb place,” stated Mary. “I’m not nervous about him. I do know he’s someplace the place he’s not utilizing. At some level, I’ve to step again so he can study. Unfortunately, he’s studying the arduous manner.”
She continued,
“You simply know you don’t wanna see your youngsters endure,” she added. “I”d moderately him be there in jail than useless.”
Robert Cosby Jr. was 23.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has a 24/7 National Helpline for people with substance abuse points and their relations. The hotline, which gives help in English and Spanish, will be reached at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). To discover behavioral well being remedy companies, go to SAMHSA’s web site.
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