Mary Cosby is grieving the loss of her son, Robert Cosby Jr. The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star’s child died at the age of 23. As RHOSLC fans grapple with the news of his untimely death, many are curious about what happened to Robert.
Mary and her husband, Robert Cosby Sr., confirmed their son’s death in a statement to TMZ on February 25, 2026, which read, “Our beloved son Robert Jr. has been called home to the Lord. 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.”
Learn what we know so far about Robert’s untimely death here.
How Many Children Does Mary Cosby Have?
Robert was Mary’s only child. The reality TV star shared him with her husband, Bishop Robert C. Cosby, whom she married in 1998.
Was Robert Cosby Jr. Married?
Yes, Robert was married to his estranged wife, Alexiana Smokoff, but she filed for divorce from him late last year. The couple had been married since they secretly exchanged vows in August 2022. They kept their vows hidden from Mary at the time, and their marriage became a central storyline on season 4 of RHOSLC.
What Happened to Robert Cosby Jr.? How He Died
A spokesperson for the Salt Lake City Police Department told Page Six that Robert was found dead on the evening of February 24, 2026, after police officers “responded to an overdose call that turned into a death investigation.”
Based on the spokesperson’s statement, it appears that Robert died following an overdose.
Season 6 of RHOSLC followed Robert’s alleged drug use. At one point during the season, it was revealed that he had relapsed. In the reunion episode, Mary revealed that her son had been arrested and was serving time in jail after he allegedly violated a restraining order that Alexiana’s family had obtained.
“[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 explained during the episode. “I don’t know where he’s getting that from … delusional.”
Was Robert Cosby Jr. in Jail?
Per his mother, Robert was serving time behind bars, but his sentencing for allegedly violating the restraining order had been scheduled for February 2026, Andy Cohen said. While discussing the situation, Mary said she’d rather see her son in jail “than dead.”
“I’m not worried about him,” Mary 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. It’s just, you don’t want to see your kid suffer, but I know it’s good. And I’d rather him be there than dead, you know?”
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
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