The 'Real Housewives of Salt Lake City' star's only child, Robert Cosby Jr., died on Feb. 23
Credit: Mary Cosby/Instagram (2)
NEED TO KNOW
- Mary Cosby paid tribute to her son, Robert Cosby Jr., following his death at age 23
- “I’m going to miss you bubs,” the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star wrote on Instagram
- The Salt Lake City Police Department responded to reports of a 23-year-old man who was “not breathing” at the reality star’s home the night of his death
Mary Cosby is remembering her late son, Robert Cosby Jr., in a heartbreaking tribute.
Following his death on Monday, Feb. 23 at age 23, the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star, 53, honored him on Instagram. She played Jessica Mauboy’s cover of Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time” in the background of the tribute.
“#godfirst #love #forever I’m Going to miss you bubs❤️🙏😢.” Mary wrote alongside a throwback photo of herself sitting beside Robert when he was a child.
The reality star announced her son’s death in a social media post shared on Wednesday, Feb. 25.
View this post on Instagram
“Our beloved son Robert Jr. has been called home to the Lord,” Mary wrote on 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.”
According to Salt Lake City dispatch audio obtained by PEOPLE, authorities were called to Mary’s Utah home just before 6 p.m. on the day of his death. Upon arrival, they found that a “23-year-old male” presumed to be Robert Jr. was “not conscious” and “not breathing.”
The audio later revealed that the man was given a dose of Narcan, a nasal spray used to reverse life-threatening opioid overdoses,” as he was in a “full arrest/medical emergency.”
Shortly after the news of Robert Jr.'s death broke, PEOPLE learned that production on the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City season 7, which was scheduled to begin filming this week in Utah, was put on pause.
"Mary is a cherished member of our family, and our thoughts, love, and deepest condolences are with her and her loved ones during this incredibly difficult time,” Bravo shared in a statement to PEOPLE, noting that the network is “heartbroken to learn of the passing of Mary’s beloved son, Robert. Jr.”
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Credit: Mary Cosby/Instagram
Real Housewives executive producer Andy Cohen also reacted to the tragic news in a Feb. 25 post on Threads.
“Devastatingly sad news out of SLC,” he wrote. “This is every parent’s worst nightmare. My heart is broken for Mary, and I am sending all my love to her and Robert Sr.”
Four months before her son’s death, Mary told PEOPLE that her husband Robert Cosby Sr. played an instrumental role in helping their family navigate Robert Jr.’s years-long struggle with drug addiction.
"He always knows what to say, and he always knows how to say it," she explained in October. "Truly, I told him the day before I came here, like, 'You really know me, and I love that.' You can be married to someone and have no clue who they are even after 30 years especially when the kids get older and you stop being a mom and you have to be a wife again. You almost have to relearn your husband. But I actually know him."
She also emphasized that she and her son “could not live life without him.”
"I see us just getting old together, and I'll be always standing there," she continued. "He's just this solid piece in my life and my son's life, and we couldn't do it without him.”
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