The sudden death of Robert Cosby Jr., the 23-year-old son of ‘The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City’ star Mary Cosby, has left family, friends, and fans reeling.
Cosby Jr. died on Monday, February 23, 2026, in Utah, according to multiple reports. Authorities responded to a call described as a “full arrest/medical emergency,” and while an official cause of death has not yet been released, reports indicate the incident is being treated as a possible overdose.
News of his passing came just weeks after Robert Jr. was released from the Salt Lake County Metro Jail, where he had been serving a two-month sentence. According to his attorney, he had recently expressed remorse for his past behavior, acknowledging that his “past behavior demonstrates poor judgment.”
The tragedy arrives after years of emotional and legal struggles that were often documented on Bravo’s RHOSLC. Robert Jr.’s life was frequently woven into his mother’s storyline, giving viewers a deeply personal look at his battles with addiction, relationships, and the criminal justice system.
Friends and collaborators in the entertainment world quickly expressed their condolences, with Real Housewives executive producer Andy Cohen posting, “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.”
Mary Cosby herself had recently shared hopeful moments about her son. On February 7, 2026, she posted a tribute to her “beautiful son”, celebrating his release from jail and his efforts to stay sober, offering a glimpse of optimism during a difficult period for the family.
© Instagram/Mary CosbyRobert Jr.’s struggles with substance abuse were openly discussed on the reality series. During a Season 5 episode, he admitted to using Xanax to “chill me out” and Adderall “to balance out the Xanax,” describing the complicated balancing act of managing anxiety and addiction. Later in the series, he revealed he had completed a 30-day rehabilitation program but was still fighting temptation.
“I’m not in that dark place, but, like, it’s still there, if that makes sense,” he said on the show. He explained how difficult it was to break routine habits tied to substance use, adding insight into his ongoing recovery journey.
Unfortunately, it was later revealed that he had experienced a relapse. Legal troubles also shadowed Robert Jr.’s young adulthood. In 2022, he pleaded guilty to a DUI after police said he was driving without a license and violating traffic laws.
© BravoMore recently, he was arrested in Utah in September on charges including assault and trespassing. These incidents were often discussed during RHOSLC storylines, adding to the tension surrounding his personal life.
Robert Jr. secretly married his then-partner Alexiana Smokoff in a Utah courthouse ceremony in August 2022, a fact he initially kept from his mother. The marriage later became public as part of RHOSLC Season 4 storylines.
However, the relationship eventually deteriorated, and Smokoff filed for divorce in November 2025 after roughly three years of marriage. Their divorce was finalized in January 2026 while Robert Jr. was still incarcerated.
© BravoThe couple’s legal disputes also played a role in his legal difficulties. During the RHOSLC Season 6 reunion in January 2026, Mary Cosby spoke emotionally about her son’s arrest after he allegedly violated a restraining order filed by Alexiana’s family.
“[Her family] filed a restraining order against him, and he went back anyway, thinking that she want[ed] him to come back and save her,” Mary said during the reunion. “I don’t know where he’s getting that from … delusional.”
© Mary Cosby/IGDespite her concern, Mary expressed a conflicted sense of acceptance about allowing her son to face the consequences of his choices. “I’m not worried about him,” she said at the time. “I know he’s somewhere where he’s not using. At some point, I have to step back so that he can learn and he can make his own decisions, and unfortunately, he’s learning the hard way. But I’m OK with it … And I’d rather him be there than dead, you know?”
She also revealed that she refused to visit him in jail, choosing instead to maintain daily phone communication. Her husband, Robert Cosby Sr., reportedly supported Robert Jr. by sending books while he was incarcerated. Robert Jr. was released from jail on February 3, 2026.
Mary Cosby has not yet issued a formal public statement following her son’s death. As fans and cast members continue to send messages of support, the reality television community is mourning a life cut tragically short, at just 23 years old.
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