Mary Cosby The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City - RHOSLC

Mary Cosby’s 23-Year-Old Son Robert Cosby Jr. Found Dead After Reported Overdose Call

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Mary Cosby Reveals Lisa Barlow Didn't Reach Out After Emotional Moment with Son Robert Jr. on RHOSLC

Robert Cosby Jr., the son of “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” star Mary Cosby, has died. He was 23.

Mary Cosby’s 23-Year-Old Son Robert Cosby Jr. Found Dead After Reported Overdose Call 3

According to TMZ, Robert died Monday in Utah. Police in Salt Lake City responded Monday night to what they described as a “full arrest/medical emergency” involving a 23-year-old man. Firefighters and paramedics were also dispatched. Authorities have said the call involved a possible overdose, and the situation became a death investigation when officers arrived. The official cause of death has not yet been confirmed.

The news comes just a few months after Robert’s wife, Alexiana Smokoff, filed for divorce.

A Public Struggle

Viewers of “RHOSLC” saw parts of Robert’s life play out on screen over the years. During Season 4, one of Mary Cosby’s storylines centered on discovering that her son had secretly gotten married without telling her. The wedding reportedly took place in August 2022 at a Utah courthouse.

The show also touched on more difficult issues. Robert and Alexiana’s alleged drug problems became part of Mary’s storyline. In one episode, Mary addressed her son’s addiction struggles directly.

Mary Cosby’s 23-Year-Old Son Robert Cosby Jr. Found Dead After Reported Overdose Call

“I’m not worried about him. 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 decisions, and unfortunately, he’s learning the hard way. But I’m OK with it.”

Legal Troubles in Recent Years

Robert had faced multiple legal issues. In September, he was arrested in Utah on several alleged charges, including trespassing and assault. In 2022, he was also arrested for DUI. Police at the time said he did not have a valid driver’s license and had disobeyed traffic laws. He later pleaded guilty to the DUI charge.

His struggles were not entirely private, but they were still personal. Behind the reality television moments and headlines was a 23-year-old navigating addiction, legal problems, and family tension in a very public way.

An investigation into his death is ongoing.

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20 comments

BC February 25, 2026 - 6:35 pm
Very sad for Mary and the family. It was clear his problems were big. Mary at least didn't try to play them down like many do. Every time he appeared on camera it was obvious that something was very wrong and it wasn't just small amounts of drugs we were talking about. RIP.
Evil Queen February 25, 2026 - 4:59 pm
My heart breaks for Mary & Robert Sr. 23 is way too young but unfortunately he is another statistic. Sending them love & prayers.
Dixie418 February 25, 2026 - 4:56 pm
My heart breaks for his family.
AnEnigmaWrappedInSnark February 25, 2026 - 3:58 pm
Gee, no one saw this one coming. Poor kid never stood a chance with that psychotic nutjob of a mother. I know that sounds harsh, but it infuriated me that a mother can be so absent that she doesn't even know her son (living in her home) is fcked up out of his mind ... and married. In my generation yes, but these days (when 40 yr. olds are still attached to Mommy's hip) ... hell no.
Champagne Hangover February 26, 2026 - 11:23 am
I ? agree with ya, Niggy. Plus, not only that but the AWFUL truth re: recovery from opioid addiction is staggeringly grim, and that was the case WELL BEFORE the (very intentional) influx of fentanyl on the scene. Relapse is all but guaranteed if you look at statistics. I’m not saying that NO ONE can/has or will overcome even a horrific opioid addiction BUT it is FAR from the rule, short term or long term (Phillip Seymore Hoffman comes to mind). Anyone thinking they are up against anything less that those HARSH realities is simply delusional. This kid needed long term (60-90 day rehab + sober living) to have any hope, statistically speaking, which would have still been 50/50 AT BEST. A home rife with the kind of denial, ambivalence and over all dysfunction that heavily contributed to the problem in the first place was destined to be a recipe for disaster, sadly… BUT tbf, entirely above Mary and Robert Sr.’s pay grade to contain or control (with or without help) without the dedicated willingness of Robert jr which they could not force upon him as an adult.
Champagne Hangover February 26, 2026 - 11:23 am
I ? agree with ya, Niggy. Plus, not only that but the AWFUL truth re: recovery from opioid addiction is staggeringly grim, and that was the case WELL BEFORE the (very intentional) influx of fentanyl on the scene. Relapse is all but guaranteed if you look at statistics. I’m not saying that NO ONE can/has or will overcome even a horrific opioid addiction BUT it is FAR from the rule, short term or long term (Phillip Seymore Hoffman comes to mind). Anyone thinking they are up against anything less that those HARSH realities is simply delusional. This kid needed long term (60-90 day rehab + sober living) to have any hope, statistically speaking, which would have still been 50/50 AT BEST. A home rife with the kind of denial, ambivalence and over all dysfunction that heavily contributed to the problem in the first place was destined to be a recipe for disaster, sadly… BUT tbf, entirely above Mary and Robert Sr.’s pay grade to contain or control (with or without help) without the dedicated willingness of Robert jr which they could not force upon him as an adult.
AnEnigmaWrappedInSnark February 26, 2026 - 3:28 pm
I have a nephew who got a little too involved with drugs, not to Robert Jr.'s extent, but as a child of the 70's-80's, I sure saw the signs. I would see him F'ed up at family functions and when I commented to his parents, it was always "Oh ___ is just tired", or "___ snuck a beer and is just "happy"" etc;. But I never indulged them, and would say "Are you kidding, he's fcked up out of his mind! ... and where is he getting the money to sustain this lifestyle? He sure as heck ain't working at a Burger King!". But it continued, and when he got kicked out of one (private) school after the other, it was always the school's fault. The final straw was when he became a dad (at 16!) and when I saw his parents 'reward' him with a new $50K truck, Uncle Niggy lost his shit. I suspect this was probably the same dynamics within the Cosby family, but unfortunately, Mary and Robert didn't have anyone like me calling THEM out.
Champagne Hangover February 26, 2026 - 4:42 pm
Eek! Yep. It’s as simple as, like the Bible says, ‘spare the rod, spoil the child.’ Now of course, the rod means discipline, accountability, the consequences of one’s actions knocking’em upside the head to learn ‘em REAL good if need be ?. Parents want to protect both themselves and their kids more than they want to actually parent. Looking the other way, throwing money at the problem, etc. instead of opening up a can of whoop azz (so to speak) and laying down the law just ain’t cutting it. And, in fact, doing so pretty much never ends well. ??
AnEnigmaWrappedInSnark February 26, 2026 - 6:20 pm
To Mary's credit, it appears she did eventually practice some tough love, but it was WAY to late. I could see during her first season that that poor kid was permanently damaged.
Champagne Hangover February 26, 2026 - 7:24 pm
Once I knew the kind of drugs this kid was on -oof!- the deck was stacked against him on that count alone, but that wasn’t even the only count. It was going to be a monumental uphill struggle for this kid to stay clean even under the best of circumstances and his weren’t it.
Champagne Hangover February 26, 2026 - 7:24 pm
Once I knew the kind of drugs this kid was on -oof!- the deck was stacked against him on that count alone, but that wasn’t even the only count. It was going to be a monumental uphill struggle for this kid to stay clean even under the best of circumstances and his weren’t it.
holy cannoli February 25, 2026 - 7:25 pm
??
holy cannoli February 25, 2026 - 7:25 pm
??
Cin February 25, 2026 - 5:23 pm
Heartbreaking.
Cin February 25, 2026 - 5:23 pm
Heartbreaking.
michers February 25, 2026 - 5:16 pm
Awful , so sad for mary and family . So sad that at his age , the rehab and such wasn’t enough :(
michers February 25, 2026 - 5:16 pm
Awful , so sad for mary and family . So sad that at his age , the rehab and such wasn’t enough :(
AnEnigmaWrappedInSnark February 25, 2026 - 3:58 pm
Gee, no one saw this one coming. Poor kid never stood a chance with that psychotic nutjob of a mother.
Zap It February 25, 2026 - 3:21 pm
OMG...just terrible. He is so young. Condolences to Mary and her family. RIP. ?
Zap It February 25, 2026 - 3:21 pm
OMG...just terrible. He is so young. Condolences to Mary and her family. RIP. ?
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