Robert Cosby Jr., the son of “Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” star Mary Cosby, has died. He was 23 years old.
A Salt Lake City Police Department spokesperson confirmed to Page Six on Wednesday that the man was found dead on February 23 after officers “responded to a call of an overdose, which resulted in a death investigation.”
Immediately after the news of her son’s death broke, Mary spoke up and said she knew “he was finally at peace.”
“Our beloved son, Robert Jr., has been called to be with the Lord. Our hearts are broken, but we take comfort in God’s promises and knowing that he is finally at peace. We appreciate your prayers and your trust in the Lord to carry us through this time of grief,” the reality star wrote on Instagram.
The Cosby family’s attorney, Clinton Sims, also exclusively told Page Six, “Robert Sr. and Mary Cosby are saddened by the loss of their beloved son, Robert Clinton Cosby Jr. His untimely death is difficult to comprehend, and the Cosbys are struggling to understand how such a young and vibrant man could pass away so soon. Robert Jr.’s warm spirit, humor and kind heart will be missed.”
“This loss was sudden and the family asks for privacy at this difficult time,” he added.
TMZ was the first to report the death.
Bravo boss Andy Cohen publicly expressed his condolences via an Instagram thread: “Devastating sad news from SLC. This is every parent’s worst nightmare. My heart is breaking for Mary. All my love to her and Robert Sr.”
Robert Jr. died after his estranged wife Alexiana Smokov filed for divorce in November after three years of marriage. The former lovers secretly married in a Utah courthouse in August 2022.
Robert’s struggle with drugs was featured on the Bravo show, including season 6, which was filmed in early 2025.
In one episode, Robert confessed to his mother that he was “at a standstill” in his recovery after completing a 30-day rehab program.
“I’m not in that dark place, but I’m still there, if that makes sense,” he said, explaining that it’s hard not to do something ritualistically anymore.
Later that season, it was revealed that Robert had relapsed.
Robert also has a history of run-ins with the law, which Mary revealed at the Season 6 reunion in January.
During the episode, the Bravolebrity emotionally revealed that her son was arrested in November and is in prison for allegedly violating a restraining order set out by Alexiana’s family.
“[Her family]filed a restraining order against him, but he came back anyway. She wanted him to come back and save her,” Mary said. “I don’t know where he’s thinking that… It’s delusional.”
“I’m not worried about him,” Mary said, clearly upset. “I know he’s somewhere he’s not using it.
“At some point, I have to step back so he can learn and make his own decisions. And unfortunately, he’s learning the hard way. But I’m okay with that… and I’d rather him be there than die, you know?”
Mary visits Robert in prison and tells him that he refuses to look at him through the glass.
However, she assured viewers that she speaks with Robert on the phone every day and that her husband, Robert Cosby Sr., sends her “a lot of books.”
At that time, Cohen shared that Robert’s sentencing is scheduled for February 2026.
Robert was released two months later, on February 3, after pleading guilty.
His lawyer told People that he “expresses deep regret for his past actions and acknowledges that his past actions demonstrated a lack of judgment.”
If you or a loved one is affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call SAMHSA’s national helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
