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Mary Cosby, star of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, is dealing with a major family tragedy. Cosby’s 23-year-old son, Robert Cosby Jr., has died. The twenty-something appeared multiple times on the Bravo series alongside his mother, with his marriage issues and substance abuse troubles being highlighted on the reality TV show. The younger Cosby’s death occurred as the Bravo team was set to begin filming season 7 of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. The production has been paused.

Robert Cosby Jr. dead at 23

News of Robert Cosby Jr.’s death has come flooding in in recent hours. The 23-year-old son of Mary Cosby actually died on February 23. Variety spoke with the Salt Lake City Police Department. A spokesperson confirmed that officers and emergency service units responded to a 911 call for a drug overdose. The call turned into a death investigation when Cosby Jr. was pronounced dead at the scene.

Later reports indicate that life-saving measures were attempted, including the use of Narcan, but none were successful. It is unclear who placed the 911 call or what transpired in the hours leading up to it. The Cosby family later issued a statement confirming the death of Robert osby Jr.

The 23-year-old’s passing comes on the heels of some pretty difficult moments. While Cosby Jr. entered a drug rehabilitation program after season 5 of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, he did not find lasting sobriety. He admitted to using again during seaosn 6 of the series, and during the reunion, Mary Cosby revealed her son was in jail after violating a restraining order. The restraining order was issued after Cosby Jr.’s September 2025 domestic violence arrest. His wife, Alexiana Smokoff, filed for divorce in November 2025.

Bravo pushes the pause button on ‘The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City’

Robert Cosby Jr.’s unexpected death has led to a pause in production on The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. According to TMZ, the show’s upcoming season is in pre-production with the cast, including Mary Cosby, and is set to begin filming next week. Following the death of Cosby’s son, Bravo has paused production. It’s unclear how long filming will be on hiatus. At this time, it is unclear whether Mary Cosby will return for the season or opt to take a leave from the series. Bravo had not yet revealed who would be returning for season 7 of the dramatic reality TV series. Still, Cosby was widely assumed to be included.

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Season 6 of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City wrapped in late January with the airing of its reunion special. It was filmed in December. Production on season 7 was slated to begin in late February, though filming schedules are now up in the air. It is unclear if Cosby will speak about Robert Jr.’s death if she does return. She’s been open about his struggles, his legal troubles, and their strained family dynamics in the past, though.

Mary Cosby was a founding cast member on The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, but took a break from the series during its 3rd and 4th seasons before returning as a full-time housewife in season 5. At the time, Cosby said the show’s “chaotic” environment and accusations about her spirituality did not align with her needs. It is unclear what exactly prompted her to return full-time.

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