Late 'Sister Wives' Star Garrison Brown Had Been Estranged From Dad Kody
On March 5, 2024 it was announced that Garrison Brown had died of an apparent suicide. He was only 25 years old.
Updated March 5 2024, 6:40 p.m. ET
Fans of TLC's popular reality show Sister Wives first met Garrison Brown in 2010 when the series premiered in September of that year. At the time, he was 12 years old and one of 15 children spread across four families. The show sought to present a normalized view of polygamy and never strayed from showing the world that they are just like any other family.
Like any household, or in their case multiple households, the Browns certainly had disagreements. In 2021 after an argument about adhering to COVID-19 guidelines, Garrison moved out. While that was certainly painful, nothing could compare what happened two years later when Garrison's brother Gabriel found his deceased brother. Here's what we know.
Garrison Brown has died by apparent suicide.
In a heartbreaking Instagram post from Kody and Janelle Brown on their respective profiles, the former couple revealed on March 5, 2024, that Garrison had died. "Janelle and I are deeply saddened to announce the loss of our beautiful boy Robert Garrison Brown," wrote Kody. "He was a bright spot in the lives of all who knew him. Our loss will leave such a big hole in our lives, that it takes our breath away." He then asked for privacy during this time.
Lieutenant Charles M. Hernandez II of the Flagstaff Police Department confirmed to People, "On 03/05/2024 Flagstaff Police officers responded to a report of a death inside a home." It was there they "discovered Mr. Brown deceased," by apparent suicide. Lt. Hernandez added, "At this time there is not any indication of foul play, and Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division are investigating."
Garrison had purchased a home in Arizona and was living with his cats.
Per a report by The US Sun, Garrison Brown became a first-time homeowner at 23 years old. However, the circumstances surrounding the monumental occasion were rather unpleasant.
In Season 16, Garrison’s father, Kody, threatened to kick him and his brother Gabriel out of the house for failing to follow the COVID-19 restrictions he set for the family. "I'm making all the sacrifices,” Kody said. “And I'm asking everybody else to simply meet that level of sacrifice so that the family can exist.”
Before the argument, Janelle told her husband that Garrison was already saving for a house but didn’t have enough money yet to make the purchase. He planned to live at home until he got his funds in order. However, things came to a head when Kody suggested his wife spend Thanksgiving alone to preserve her health after her sons were out socializing.
During his confessional, Kody said, "I'm on the verge of washing my hands of it. I'm gonna have Gabriel and Garrison move out of the house. You've got a good car, you go get a job, here's some cash. Bye." Garrison’s mother disagreed. "This is a different day and age,” Janelle said. “You don't just kick your kids out of the house at 18 and say, ‘Hope you do good, I'm done.’” However, it appears Garrison listened to his father’s wishes when he purchased a $329k house soon after.
The house was a mere 20-minute drive from his father's home. Garrison was maintaining an active Instagram presence, posting everything from high-definition nature and astronomy photography to photos and videos of his cats, Patches O’Houlihan, Catthew, and Ms. Buttons.
If you or someone you know are experiencing suicidal thoughts, call, text, or message the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Dial or text 988, call 1-800-273-8255, or chat via their website.
