Mary Cosby Mourns the Tragic Loss of Her Son Robert Cosby Jr at Age 23
Mary Cosby, the 53-year-old star of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, is mourning the untimely death of her son, Robert Cosby Jr, who passed away earlier this week at the age of 23. The reality television personality took to her Instagram Stories to share a heartfelt throwback picture of herself with her son, accompanied by a poignant message and music.
Emotional Tribute and Cast Support
In her Instagram post, Cosby wrote, 'I’m going to miss you, Bubs,' alongside heart, prayer, and weeping emojis. The touching tribute was set to Jessica Mauboy's cover of Time After Time, and she added hashtags for 'God First,' 'Love,' and 'Forever.' Her Real Housewives family, known for its dramatic conflicts, responded with warmth and condolences in the comments.
Kyle Richards from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills commented, 'Beautiful picture, Mary. You’re an amazing Mom and gave him so much love. May his memory be a blessing.' Chanel Ayan from The Real Housewives of Dubai added, 'He looks just like you. You will see him in you so much. He will always be with you. Love you, Mary, and God got you both.' Other cast members, including Kandi Burruss, Heather Dubrow, Whitney Rose, Cynthia Bailey, Gretchen Rossi, Lisa Barlow, Sheree Whitfield, Candiace Dillard-Bassett, Crystan Kung Minkoff, and Shamea Morton, also offered their deepest condolences to the Cosby family.
Background and Recent Events
Robert Cosby Jr, the only son of Mary and her husband Robert Cosby Sr, died on Monday, just three weeks after his release from prison. Police initially responded to what was described as a 'possible overdose,' which later became a death investigation, according to People magazine. An official cause of death has not been released at this time.
In a statement shared with the Daily Mail, the Cosby family expressed their grief and faith, saying, '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.'
Legal History and Personal Struggles
Robert's death follows a period of legal issues and personal challenges. He had recently been released from Salt Lake County Metro Jail, where he served two months after pleading guilty to assault and violating a protective order. His attorney, Clayton Simms, told People that Robert 'expresses deep regret regarding his prior actions and acknowledges that his past behavior demonstrates poor judgment.'
Robert's life and struggles were occasionally featured on The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. During season four, Cosby revealed that her son had secretly married his girlfriend, Alexiana Smokoff, in August 2022 at a Utah courthouse without her knowledge. The couple's alleged substance use issues were part of Cosby's storyline on the show, and Alexiana filed for divorce in November.
Robert had a history of legal troubles, including an arrest in Utah in September on charges such as trespassing and assault. He was previously arrested in 2022 for driving under the influence, pleading guilty to the DUI charge after police noted he lacked a valid license and failed to follow traffic laws.
Cosby's Premonition and Future Plans
Interestingly, Cosby had a premonition that her son would die weeks before his passing. During part 2 of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City season 6 reunion, which aired in January, she spoke about his arrest and jail time, saying, 'I know he's somewhere where he's not using. Unfortunately he's learning the hard way, but I'm okay with it.' She added, 'you don't wanna see your kid suffer, but I know it's good, and I'd rather him be there than dead.'
Despite the tragedy, reports from TMZ indicate that Cosby plans to return to work on the upcoming season of the reality show, leaning on her faith and friends for support. She will be allowed to work at her own comfortable pace, with the cast rallying around her during this difficult time, showcasing a rare moment of unity in a franchise known for its intense drama.
