Robert Cosby Jr., the son of Real Housewives of Salt Lake City cast member Mary Cosby, has died at the age of 23.
Authorities in Salt Lake City confirmed to TMZ that emergency crews responded Monday night, February 23, to a call described as a “full arrest/medical emergency” involving a 23-year-old male.
Police, fire, and paramedics were dispatched to the scene.
What initially came in as a medical situation later became a death investigation. Officials have not confirmed an official cause of death, though early information indicates the response may have involved a possible overdose.
Cosby Jr.’s death comes just months after his wife, Alexiana Smokoff, filed for divorce. The two had been at the center of recent legal and personal turmoil that had also surfaced in connection with the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City storylines.
Cosby Jr. made occasional appearances on Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, including during Season 4, when Mary Cosby revealed she had learned her son had quietly gotten married.
According to reports, the couple wed in August 2022 at a Utah courthouse. In later episodes, Mary Cosby spoke openly about concerns surrounding her son’s well-being, including struggles tied to substance use.
Those struggles intersected with a series of legal issues over the past few years. In 2022, Cosby Jr. was arrested for driving under the influence. Authorities at the time said he was operating a vehicle without a valid license and failed to comply with traffic laws. He later entered a guilty plea in that case.
More recently, in September 2025, Cosby Jr. was arrested in connection with multiple alleged incidents involving his wife and her family. Court records show those events led to a range of charges, including trespassing, assault, and violations of court-issued protective orders.
Prosecutors alleged that despite being ordered to avoid contact, he continued to reach out and returned to restricted locations.
In November 2025, Cosby Jr. resolved part of that case by pleading guilty to assault and violations of a pretrial protective order. Other charges were dismissed, and one property damage-related charge was held in abeyance pending compliance with court conditions. He remained in custody after the court denied a request for release ahead of sentencing.
His attorney, Clayton Simms, previously stated that Cosby Jr. “accepted responsibility for what happened,” acknowledging that he continued contact with his wife despite restrictions in place. Simms also noted that Cosby Jr. had difficulty accepting the end of the relationship.
Mary Cosby has not publicly commented on her son’s death as of this writing.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, confidential support is available through the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or via thehotline.org.
For substance abuse or mental health support, the SAMHSA National Helpline is available at 1-800-662-HELP (4357), offering free and confidential assistance 24/7.