What to Know About Mary Cosby&x27;s Son Robert Cosby Jr.&x27;s Addiction Struggles and Legal Troubles Caroline BlairWed, February 25, 2026 at 10:12 PM UTC 0 Mary Cosby attends Christmas At Kathy's 2024 on December 10, 2024 in Los Angeles, California ; Mary Cosby's son Robert Cosby Jr.Credit: Amanda Edwards/Getty ; Mary Cosby/Instagram Mary M. Cosby and Robert Cosby Sr.'s son, Robert Cosby Jr., died at the age of 23 on Feb. 23 Prior to his death, Robert Jr. shared that he started struggling with drug addiction at age 16 Mary mourned her son's death and wrote that she and Robert Sr.
What to Know About Mary Cosby's Son Robert Cosby Jr.'s Addiction Struggles and Legal Troubles
Caroline BlairWed, February 25, 2026 at 10:12 PM UTC
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Mary Cosby attends Christmas At Kathy's 2024 on December 10, 2024 in Los Angeles, California ; Mary Cosby's son Robert Cosby Jr.Credit: Amanda Edwards/Getty ; Mary Cosby/Instagram -
Mary M. Cosby and Robert Cosby Sr.'s son, Robert Cosby Jr., died at the age of 23 on Feb. 23
Prior to his death, Robert Jr. shared that he started struggling with drug addiction at age 16
Mary mourned her son's death and wrote that she and Robert Sr.'s "hearts ache"
Mary M. Cosby's son, Robert Cosby Jr., died after struggling with substance abuse and legal issues for years.
Robert Jr. — who was the only child of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star and her husband, Robert Cosby Sr. — died on Feb. 23 at the age of 23. The Salt Lake City Police Department confirmed to PEOPLE that he was found dead after authorities responded to a possible overdose upon receiving a call about a "full arrest/medical emergency."
Mary mourned her son's death and said in a statement that she and Robert Sr.'s "hearts ache," but they also "take comfort in God's promise and in knowing he [Robert Jr.] is finally at peace."
Prior to his death, both Mary and Robert Jr. spoke about his struggle with addiction and his mental health and legal issues. During season 5 of the Bravo show, Robert Jr. told his mother that he had a substance abuse issue and subsequently checked into rehab.
Throughout her son's challenges, Mary supported Robert Jr.'s sobriety while admitting that it was "a hardcore road."
"I can just only push him, encourage him and love him. And that's what I'm doing," Mary said during a September 2025 appearance on SiriusXM's Reality Checked radio show. "I have hope and I believe in him. ... I know he's got all the tools and he's got all the will, the willpower that he needs and the support."
Here's everything to know about the late Robert Cosby Jr.'s addiction struggles and legal troubles.
Robert Jr. was arrested for a DUI in 2022
Mary Cosby son Robert Cosby Jr. on The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City.Credit: Bravo
Robert Jr.'s first known run-in with the law was in 2022 when he was arrested for a DUI. He was apprehended after authorities claimed he was operating a vehicle without a license and disobeyed traffic laws, PEOPLE previously reported.
He went on to plead guilty to the DUI in exchange for the other charges being dropped.
He opened up about his troubles with substance abuse and suicidal ideation in 2024
Mary Cosby and her son Robert Jr. in September 2023.Credit: Mary Cosby/Instagram
Robert Jr. opened up about his drug addiction and mental health struggles for the first time in an emotional conversation with his mom on a season 5 episode of RHOSLC that aired in November 2024.
During the one-on-one moment, Robert Jr. revealed to his mother that he had been using both prescription medications and recreational drugs — including Xanax, Adderall and OxyContin — since he was 16 years old.
"Sometimes, I feel like, I don't know, just life is like this chicken without seasoning," he said. "But when I get high, it's like seasoning."
Robert Jr. said that he had quickly developed a problem and had been taking as many as 10 of the drugs at once. His addiction continued to escalate, and Robert Jr. confided in his mom that he had tried heroin.
"I couldn't even feel it," he remembered. "I couldn't feel it at all." At the same time that he was developing a drug addiction, Robert Jr. was also struggling with his mental health and recalled feeling like he "wanted to die at the time."
"I felt like a stain — I just felt like this world wasn't for me," Robert Jr. said. "You're the only reason I didn't kill myself."
Mary cried while telling Robert Jr. that she loved him "more than anything in this world."
"You're my friend, you're my son, you're my gift," she said through tears. "God gave you to me. You're the only thing that ever made me happy. Before I had you, I was never happy. You came and you were so real. It was everything I hoped for in a person."
Robert Jr. went to rehab for a month after speaking to his mom
Mary Cosby and son Robert Jr. on The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City.Credit: Bravo
Shortly after Robert Jr. spoke to his mom about the extent of his addiction, he went to rehab for one month.
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"He did go to rehab. He stayed for a month," Mary said on a December 2024 appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen. "He completed it. He did an excellent job. He came out a new person."
Mary added that her son was "doing so good" at the time. "I am so proud of him," she continued.
He was arrested on multiple charges for separate incidents in September and November 2025
Robert Cosby Jr.Credit: 2025 Salt Lake County
Less than a year after Mary gave a positive update on Robert Jr., he was arrested for a second time in September 2025. Police arrested him on several charges, including criminal trespassing, assault, failure to stop at the command of law enforcement and three counts of violating a court order, per his booking record viewed by PEOPLE.
The arrest occurred after he allegedly tried to break into his then-wife Alexiana Arian Smokoff's father's Salt Lake City house, where she was living.
Mary later spoke to PEOPLE about the arrest and claimed that Robert Jr. and Alexiana had attempted to leave the house to be together. Although she was "devastated" by the legal woes, Mary also called the arrest "a blessing in disguise."
"It was for his good," she said at the time. "I think he needed that. He's never encountered anything like that. ... I feel like he needed that and that he understands that that's the wrong journey."
Meanwhile, Robert Jr. further told PEOPLE that he's "not where I want to be, but I'm certainly not where I used to be. I will get there!" Alexiana filed for divorce in November 2025.
Robert Jr. was arrested for a third time for allegedly violating his pretrial protective order. Of his 14 total charges, he pleaded guilty to eight of them: One count of felony property damage or destruction greater than or equal to $5,000; two counts of violation of a pretrial protective order (which was obtained by estranged wife Alexiana), one count of assault on a peace officer, one count of violation of a jail release court order, two counts of criminal trespass on a dwelling with intent to cause annoyance, injury, or fear (all Class A misdemeanors); and one count of Class B misdemeanor assault. The remaining six misdemeanor charges were dismissed with prejudice.
He was placed in Salt Lake County Jail for the November 2025 charges and remained there until his February 2026 sentencing. On Feb. 3, Robert Jr. was released from jail and was sentenced to 36 months of probation and 75 hours of community service.
During the RHOSLC season 6 reunion, which aired in January 2026, Mary addressed her son's arrest.
Robert Jr. died on Feb. 23, 2026
Mary Cosby's son Robert Cosby Jr.Credit: Mary Cosby/Instagram
Robert Jr. died on Feb. 23, in Utah. He was 23 years old.
The Salt Lake City Police Department confirmed the death to PEOPLE, while adding that they had initially responded to a possible overdose. They arrived at the scene after receiving a call regarding a "full arrest/medical emergency" of a 23-year-old male. As of Feb. 25, an official cause of death has not been shared.
Shortly after his death was confirmed, Mary and Robert Sr. issued a statement asking "the Lord to carry us through this time of sorrow."
"Our beloved son Robert Jr. has been called home to the Lord," the couple said in a statement on Feb. 25. "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."
Bravo also released a statement sharing how "heartbroken" staff at the network are to lose a "cherished member of our family."
"We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Mary's beloved son, Robert Jr. Mary is a cherished member of our family, and our thoughts, love, and deepest condolences are with her and her loved ones during this incredibly difficult time," Bravo shared on Feb. 25.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.
on People
Source: "AOL Entertainment"
Source: Entertainment
Published: 2026-02-25T22:46:09Z on Source: PRIME TIME
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