Mary Cosby used her platform on The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City to get candid about motherhood and her son, Robert Cosby Jr.‘s substance abuse struggles.
“It’s a heavy topic,” Mary exclusively told Us Weekly in November 2024 when discussing her son’s addiction and sobriety journey. “But for me, because it all just came at once on me, I didn’t expect it, but I’m taking it day by day.”
The Bravo cameras rolled as Robert Jr. opened up about his personal hurdles. During the season 6 reunion, which aired in January 2026, Mary expressed hope that her son would get the help he needed while behind bars. (In 2025, Robert Jr. pleaded guilty to trespassing after an incident with his ex.)
“If God allowed it, then it’s for your good,” she said while crying. “This will help you change and you got to change.”
In February 2026, Us Weekly confirmed that Robert Jr. was found dead after authorities responded to a possible overdose. He was 23.
“Our beloved son Robert Jr. has been called home to the Lord,” Mary shared in a statement via Instagram. “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.”
Keep reading to learn more about Robert Jr.’s highs and lows on The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City and beyond:
Robert Cosby Jr. Reveals His Mental Health and Substance Abuse Struggles
Robert Cosby Jr. Courtesy of Robert Cosby Jr./Instagram
During a November 2024 episode of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, Robert Cosby Jr. came clean about his substance abuse and mental health struggles.
“I’m taking Xanax. I just take half to chill me out and then I had an Adderall to balance out the Xanax,” Robert Jr. shared. “At first, I was like, ‘I’m going to just stick to natural stuff.’ Then, I went to a party, and someone gave me Xanax. I started buying it. Then, I started doing Xanax with Acid and then Molly with Xanax. I really like Xanax so I mix it with everything. Xanax and cocaine.”
In the candid conversation, Robert Jr. also told Mary Cosby that he “wanted to die” at one point in his life, but his mom was the “only reason” he didn’t give into his suicidal ideation.
“I just felt like a stain,” he said. “I just felt like this world wasn’t for me.”
Robert Cosby Jr.’s Rehab Experience
During a December 2024 appearance on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, Mary Cosby said Robert Cosby Jr. was doing well after he checked into a rehabilitation facility to treat his substance abuse issues.
“He stayed for a month. He completed it. He did an excellent job. He came out a new person,” she told Andy Cohen. “I am so proud of him, so proud of him.”
Robert Cosby Jr.’s Legal Drama With His Ex-Wife
In December 2025, Robert Cosby Jr. pleaded guilty to trespassing and assault months after several incidents involving his then-estranged wife, Alexiana Arian Smokoff, and her father.
Robert Jr. was initially arrested after he allegedly entered the home of Alexiana and refused to leave. A police report stated, “The arrested person has previously been notified by both his wife and the owner of the home that he was not welcome at the residence; both individuals showed me text message conversations which indicated he was not allowed in the home, which the arrested person had responded to in acknowledgment.”
Robert Cosby Jr. Finalizes His Divorce
In the middle of his jail sentence, Robert Cosby Jr. finalized his divorce from Alexiana Arian Smokoff.
Us Weekly exclusively confirmed that a hearing was held in January 2026 in which the court granted Smokoff a default divorce decree.
Mary Cosby’s Reunion Confession About Robert Cosby Jr.
Mary Cosby Natalie Cass/Bravo
During The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City season 6 reunion, Mary Cosby teared up when sharing an update on her then-incarcerated son, Robert Cosby Jr.
“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 decision,” she told host Andy Cohen in the January 2026 episode. “Unfortunately, he is learning the hard way but I’m ok with it. You don’t want to see your kid suffer, but I know it’s good and I’d rather him be there than dead.”
When Cohen asked if Mary would visit him in jail, she said it would be too difficult.
“I don’t want to look at my child behind a glass,” she explained. “He calls me every day and I’m basically preaching to him. If God allowed it, then it’s for your good. This will help you change and you got to change.”
Fans of the Real Housewives series have come to know and love not only the cast members of the Bravo franchises, but their spouses, kids and other loved ones – which makes their deaths hit harder. Real Housewives of Orange County alum Lauri Peterson shared in April 2024 that she was mourning the death of […]
Inside Robert Cosby Jr.’s Final Weeks Before His Death
On February 6, 2026, Robert Cosby Jr. seemingly confirmed he was out of jail when he shared a social media post.
“I’m back :),” he wrote via Instagram at the time.
One day later, Mary Cosby reshared the same photo with a message that read, “#godfirst Love you all🙏❤️ My Beautiful Son.. I love him sm❤️🙏.”
Us Weekly later confirmed that Robert Jr. was found dead at his parent’s Utah home on February 23, 2026. According to the Salt Lake City Police Department, authorities responded to a call for an overdose. Officials later discovered Robert Jr. dead upon arrival. At the time, no cause of death was given and an investigation was ongoing.
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).
