In March this year, Sister Wives stars Janelle Brown and Kody Brown shared the heartbreaking news of their 25-year-old son Garrison Brown’s death. Now, the details and circumstances surrounding his death have finally been confirmed.
Keep reading to learn more.
Janelle took to Instagram in the beginning of March, to share the heartbreaking news of her son passing away. She wrote, “Kody and I are deeply saddened to announce the loss of our beautiful boy Robert Garrison Brown. He was a bright spot in the lives of all who knew him.”
She continued: “His loss will leave such a big hole in our lives that it takes our breath away. We ask that you please respect our privacy and join us in honoring his memory.” Kody also shared the same statement on his Instagram page.
Her former husband whom she shared Garrison with, Kody also posted a similar message on his Instagram account, which started with, “Janelle and I are deeply saddened.”
Lieutenant Charles M. Hernandez II of the Flagstaff Police Department confirmed the tragic incident in a statement to People, saying: “On 03/05/2024 Flagstaff Police officers responded to a report of a death inside a home.”
Garrison’s brother Gabriel, 22, found him deceased in an 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.”
TLC, the network behind Sister Wives, expressed their condolences in a statement that read: “We are devastated to hear of the tragic loss of Garrison Brown. We extend our deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to the Brown family at this difficult time.”
Garrison, introduced to fans in 2010 through Sister Wives, was part of the polygamist family led by Kody and Janelle, alongside siblings Madison, Logan, Gabriel, Hunter, and Savanah. Janelle announced her separation from Kody in December 2022, becoming the second wife to leave after Christine. Meri also later left, leaving Robyn as Kody’s sole remaining wife.
In recent years, tensions between Kody and his children, particularly Gabriel and Garrison, have been evident, with the Garrison especially expressing discontent over Kody’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I was met with just a wall,” Gabriel shared at the time. “And there was no line of dialogue. I think that that is what really drove the wedge between us.”
Janelle voiced concerns about her sons’ mental health, noting Gabriel’s deep emotions and Garrison’s noticeable change in demeanor. “I have worried about my boys’ mental health. Gabriel feels everything very, very deeply. But he’s also the kid who doesn’t say anything,” she said before adding that Garrison “just seems angry or sadder, like, he’s not as happy-go-lucky as he used to be.”
Now Garrison’s cause of death has officially been confirmed. According to the autopsy report from the Coconino County Medical Examiner, the 25-year-old died from a gunshot wound to the head on March 5, 2024, in his home in Flagstaff, Arizona.
His manner of death has been ruled as a suicide. The report also noted that the young man’s blood alcohol level (BAL) was high at .370% and that ethanol intoxication (commonly known as alcohol poisoning) is also considered as a contributing factor towards his death.
According to experts at the University of Rochester, someone with a Bal of .3% or more means a person can be in a “stupor” and have little comprehension of where they are.
A BAL of .35% or more is akin to the level of surgical anesthesia. According to the experts, you might stop breathing at that point.
In the two months since his passing, 55-year-old Janelle has been using social media as a way to memorialize her son. Garrison would have turned 26 last month. Around the time of his birthday, his mother posted a heartbreaking tribute to her late little boy.
She wrote in the caption of her post, “Happy Birthday Sweetheart. We are missing you terribly today. It’s hard to believe you aren’t here anymore,” she wrote in the caption, accompanied by a whistled version of “Happy Birthday.”
She went on writing, “We talked a lot about you today and even went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner (your favorite place ?)… I still feel you nearby sometimes. And I’m grateful we will see each other again when my journey is completed.”
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This is such a heartbreaking thing to live through. If you or someone you know is going through a hard time, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
