The 23-year-old son of “Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” star Mary Cosby has died.
Robert Cosby died Monday in Utah after Salt Lake City police responded to a possible drug overdose, according to TMZ, which said his death is under investigation.
“Our beloved son Robert Jr. has been called home to the Lord,” Mary Cosby said. “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.”
Cosby’s wife, Alexiana Smokoff, reportedly filed for divorce in November. He soon after pleaded guilty to criminal charges including assault and violating a protective order for which he spent time in jail, according to court documents viewed by People. The pair had alleged drug issues that became part of an “RHSLC” storyline. They quietly married in 2022.
Mary Cosby posted a photo of her son enjoying his freedom on Instagram on Feb. 7.
“My Beautiful Son,” she captioned that image. “I love him [so much].”
Cosby spoke about his substance issues on his mom’s reality TV show in 2024, according to People.
He confessed he “wanted to die” while using drugs including Xanax, Adderall, Oxycontin, MDMA and cocaine.
“I felt like a stain,” he said in a season 5 episode. “I just felt like this world wasn’t for me.”
Mary Cosby and Robert Cosby are pictured in an undated photo.
A couple months later, his mom told “Real Housewives” producer Andy Cohen her son completed a rehabilitation program and “came out a new person.”
She claimed Smokoff also got help for her alleged drug issues.
Mary Cosby and her husband, for whom her son is named, lead the Faith Temple Pentecostal Church in Salt Lake City.