'Real Housewives' star Mary Cosby's son Robert Jr. dies at 23

Robert Cosby Jr., the lad of “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” prima Mary Cosby, died Monday night. He was 23.

Mary Cosby confirmed her son’s decease Wednesday connected Instagram, penning that Robert Cosby Jr. “has been called location to the Lord.”

“Though our hearts ache, we instrumentality comfortableness successful God’s committedness and successful knowing helium is yet astatine peace,” Mary Cosby wrote. “We are grateful for your prayers and spot successful the Lord to transportation america done this clip of sorrow.”

Police initially responded to an overdose call, which turned into a decease investigation, Salt Lake City Police Dept. nationalist accusation serviceman Sgt. Greg Wilking told The Times. A aesculapian examiner is investigating the origin of death, Wilking said.

Bravo, the web that airs the deed “Real Housewives” franchise, besides released a statement.

“We are heartbroken to larn of the passing of Mary’s beloved son, Robert Jr.,” the connection reads. “Mary is simply a cherished subordinate of our family, and our thoughts, love, and deepest condolences are with her and her loved ones during this incredibly hard time.”

Cosby’s battles with intelligence wellness and substance maltreatment were a focal constituent of the world show’s caller seasons. He had run-ins with the instrumentality successful the months starring up to his death, astir precocious serving 2 months successful jailhouse earlier being released aboriginal this month.

Mary Cosby described her lad arsenic “the cleanable child” connected an occurrence of the show’s 5th season. “When helium acceptable his caput to bash something, helium would bash it. He was similar our prize. Very smart. Very advanced.”

“That’s the Robert I’m trying to reach,” Mary Cosby said. The parent and lad spoke astatine magnitude astir his cause addiction during the episode.

Mary Cosby was successful tears arsenic she learned that helium began taking drugs, including Xanax, molly, acerb and cocaine, astatine 16.

“I tin assistance you. I tin effort to assistance you, but you person to assistance yourself,” Mary Cosby told her son, wiping distant tears, successful the devastating episode.

Cosby revealed his struggles with depression, telling his parent that she’s “the lone crushed I didn’t termination myself.”

“You person to cognize I emotion you much than anything, much than thing successful this world,” Mary Cosby responded. “You’re my friend, you’re my son, you’re my gift. God gave you to me. You’re the lone happening that ever made maine happy.”

Mary Cosby is an archetypal formed subordinate of “RHOSLC,” the 10th installment of the fashionable franchise that began airing successful 2020. During the Season 6 reunion, which aired Jan. 20, Mary Cosby expressed interest implicit her son’s well-being and her fears that helium would die.

At the time, helium was being held successful Salt Lake County Metro Jail pursuing a November apprehension for violating a pretrial protective bid against his present ex-wife, Alexiana Smokoff. He pleaded blameworthy that period to 8 charges, including battle and trespassing.

The brace had secretly joined successful 2022, during the show’s 4th season. Smokoff filed for divorcement from Cosby past November, pursuing 3 years of marriage.

“I’m not disquieted astir him,” Mary Cosby said during the reunion. “At immoderate point, I person to measurement backmost truthful that helium tin larn and helium tin marque his ain decisions, and unfortunately, he’s learning the hard way. But I’m OK with it.”

Andy Cohen, the enforcement shaper of “Real Housewives,” expressed his condolences connected his Instagram story.

“This is each parent’s worst nightmare,” Cohen wrote. “My bosom is breached for Mary, and I americium sending each my emotion to her and Robert Sr.”

“Real Housewives” stars shared messages of enactment successful the comments conception of Mary Cosby’s Instagram post.

Cynthia Bailey, who appeared successful “The Real Housewives of Atlanta,” wrote that her “heart goes retired to you and your family. I commune helium is present resting successful peace.”

Kyle Richards, who is connected “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” wrote that she is “so precise atrocious for your unimaginable loss. I’m holding you successful my thoughts and prayers.”