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