Son of Mary Cosby, star from ‘The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City,’ dead at 23

Robert Cosby Jr. and Mary Cosby are seen in this photo posted on Sept. 13, 2023. (Mary Cosby / Instagram)

Robert Cosby Jr., son of “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” star Mary Cosby, has died at the age of 23, she said on social media on Wednesday.

Robert Jr. reportedly died on Feb. 23.

“Though our hearts ache, we take comfort in God’s promise and in knowing he is finally at peace,” Mary wrote in a post on Instagram announcing her son’s death.

“We are grateful for your prayers and trust in the Lord to carry us through this time of sorrow.”

Mary is a reality TV personality best known as an original cast member on the “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City,” which debuted in 2020. She starred in the first and second seasons, later returning as a “friend” in Season 4 before being promoted back to a full-time cast member in Season 5.

Filming for the seventh season was set to begin this week, but production has paused after Robert Jr.’s death, according to reports.

The show itself is part of Bravo’s long-running “Real Housewives” franchise, which originated in the U.S. and follows the personal and professional lives of affluent women in different cities.

Mary is also a Pentecostal pastor who leads Faith Temple Pentecostal Church in Utah.

Robert Jr., her only child with Robert Cosby Sr., openly shared his struggles with addiction while filming “Real Housewives” with his mother.

During the Season 6 reunion, which was filmed in late 2025 and aired in January, Mary revealed that Robert Jr. was incarcerated.

“He went over to his wife’s — ex-wife’s — house, she filed for divorce, and they filed a restraining order against him. He went back anyways … every time he’d go back over there, they’d call the police and they arrest him. This time they tased him,” Mary said in tears.

“But I’m happy, I’m in a good place. 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 make his own decisions. Unfortunately, he’s learning the hard way. But I’m OK with it,” she said.

“It’s just, you don’t want to see your kid suffer, and I know it’s good, and I’d rather him be there than dead,” Mary added.

The show’s host, Andy Cohen, said during the reunion that Robert Jr. had been “booked into Salt Lake City Metro Jail until February 2026,” adding that a judge would then “determine the length of his remaining sentence.”