Real Housewives Star Mary Cosby's Son Robert Cosby Jr Dies at 23 Following Opioid Overdose
Mary Cosby, an original star of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, has announced the devastating death of her son, Robert Cosby Jr, at the age of 23. The young man passed away following an opioid overdose, as confirmed by police dispatch audio obtained by People magazine.
Police Respond to Medical Emergency at Utah Home
Authorities were called to Mary Cosby's residence in Utah just before 6pm on Monday, where they discovered Robert "not conscious" and "not breathing". According to the audio recordings, emergency responders administered one dose of Narcan, an over-the-counter nasal spray designed to reverse life-threatening opioid overdoses, as Robert was in a "full arrest/medical emergency."
Mary Cosby's Heartbreaking Social Media Statement
On Wednesday, Mary shared an emotional statement with her more than 515,000 Instagram followers, expressing her profound grief. "Our beloved son Robert Jr has been called home to the Lord," she wrote. "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."
Outpouring of Support from Friends and Co-Stars
The comments section of Mary's post quickly filled with condolences from friends, fans, and fellow Real Housewives cast members, including:
- Angie Katsanevas
- Meredith Marks
- Heather Gay
- Whitney Rose
Andy Cohen, host and producer of The Real Housewives franchise, offered heartfelt words: "I love you Mary. You did your very best. We are all praying for your family." American designer Sutton Stracke also expressed her sympathies, praying for clarity and peace for the Cosby family.
Robert Cosby Jr's History with Substance Abuse
Robert had struggled with prescription and recreational drug addiction since he was 16 years old, beginning with Xanax at a party. In December 2024, Mary revealed that her son had completed a month-long rehabilitation program and "came out a new person." However, his challenges continued.
In September of last year, Robert was arrested for several criminal offences, including trespassing and assault. He faced further legal issues in November when he was accused of violating a pretrial protective order, ultimately pleading guilty to eight of fourteen charges. He was released from jail on February 3.
Recent Social Media Posts and Production Impact
Just two weeks before his death, Mary shared a heartfelt Instagram post dedicated to Robert, captioning it: "#godfirst Love you all. My Beautiful Son...I love him sm." In light of this tragedy, production on The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City season seven has been halted out of respect, with filming originally scheduled to begin this week.
If you or someone you know needs help, phone SANE Australia Helpline on 1800 18 SANE (7263).
