‘Sister Wives’ star Garrison Brown’s cause of death revealed

Garrison Brown.
Garrison Brown, star of 'Sister Wives,' died at 25.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

Garrison Brown’s cause of death has been revealed. The “Sister Wives” star’s manner of death has been ruled a suicide, per People.

The Coconino County Medical Examiner in Flagstaff, Arizona, confirmed that Brown died of a gunshot wound to the head. A contributing factor in his death was alcohol poisoning.

Garrison, whose real name was Robert Brown, was the son of Kody Brown, 55, and his wife, Janelle Brown, 54. He died at age 25 in March.

The TLC reality show, which has aired since 2010, follows the polygamist Brown family: husband Kody, his wives Meri, Janelle, Christine and Robyn and their 18 children.

Kody Brown with his 4 wives and 18 children. ©TLC/Courtesy Everett Collection
Kody Brown with his 4 wives and 18 children. ©TLC/Courtesy Everett Collection
Meri, Christine, Kody Brown (center), Robyn. and Janelle (right). Eilon Paz
Meri, Christine, Kody Brown (center), Robyn. and Janelle (right). Eilon Paz
Garrison Brown. Instagram/therealmeribrown
Garrison Brown. Instagram/therealmeribrown

Shortly after his death, Janelle revealed that her son had recently sent some other people alarming texts, prompting her to send another of her kids, Gabe, 22, to check on him.

Authorities told The Post that it was Gabe who found Garrison.

Janelle and Kody publicly separated in December 2022. The exes are also parents of five other children and grandparents of three.

“Kody and I are deeply saddened to announce the loss of our beautiful boy Robert Garrison Brown,” Janelle and Kody posted on their separate Instagram accounts after TMZ broke the news of his death.

“He was a bright spot in the lives of all who knew him. 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,” they said.

“He was a bright spot in the lives of all who knew him,” Garrison’s parents said. Instagram/robertthebrown
“He was a bright spot in the lives of all who knew him,” Garrison’s parents said. Instagram/robertthebrown
Garrison Brown with his mom, Janelle. Instagram/robertthebrown
Garrison Brown with his mom, Janelle. Instagram/robertthebrown
“Garrison was a wonderful, caring brother” said Christine. Instagram/robertthebrown
“Garrison was a wonderful, caring brother” said Christine. Instagram/robertthebrown

Christine Brown, who shares six children with Kody — the pair announced their divorce in November 2021 after 27 years of spiritual marriage — also addressed the tragedy.

“Garrison was a wonderful, caring brother who understood Truely’s need for a hobby and built her a flowerbed,” Christine posted via Instagram. She shared a video of Garrison working with her youngest daughter, Truely, 13, at their house.

“We’ll miss him forever,” she wrote in a tribute after Garrison’s death.

Garrison Brown with his mom and brother. Instagram/robertthebrown
Garrison Brown with his mom and brother. Instagram/robertthebrown
Garrison Brown with his sister. Mykelti Padron / Instagram
Garrison Brown with his sister. Mykelti Padron / Instagram
Garrison Brown with his mom and some of his siblings. hunter_elias01/Instagram
Garrison Brown with his mom and some of his siblings. hunter_elias01/Instagram

Meri and Kody announced their split after 32 years in January 2023 “after a decade of working on our relationship in our own unique ways.”

Meri also paid tribute to Garrison after his death, echoing Janelle’s and Kody’s statements.

Robyn remains the only woman to still be with Kody, to whom she was legally married in 2014. The family lived in Utah before moving to Las Vegas.

Garrison appeared on the series from its 2010 premiere. He initially expressed interest in joining the Army, but ended up in the National Guard, which was covered on the show — as was Garrison and Gabe moving out of that house to Flagstaff due to Kody’s strict COVID-19 rules.

Kody Brown. Johnstone/French/Splash News
Kody Brown. Johnstone/French/Splash News
Robyn Brown (left) Meri Brown, Kody Brown, Christine Brown and Janelle Brown (right). Ethan Miller
Robyn Brown (left) Meri Brown, Kody Brown, Christine Brown and Janelle Brown (right). Ethan Miller
Garrison Brown died at age 25. Emma Brown / Instagram
Garrison Brown died at age 25. Emma Brown / Instagram

“All I have to say is that he was a wonderful person with nothing but positivity to give to others,” Addison Miele, who was Garrison’s roommate in Flagstaff, told Us Weekly in March. “He helped me greatly when I needed a place to stay…He is a good person and someone I look up to.”

According to an Instagram post from Garrison’s cousin Emma Brown, the family held a private funeral for him in March.

“Dear Robert, I had to dress up for your funeral today and this is everything I wish you could’ve heard before I had to say goodbye,” Emma captioned a slideshow of photos featuring her late relative. “I don’t even own a picture of you without your contagious smile. I don’t know if I have the right words to say I’ll miss you.”

She added, “I wish I was able to give you a hug and tell you how much you were loved. You were human, you had flaws but never once did I doubt the friendship we had.”

Garrison Brown joined the National Guard, as shown on “Sister Wives.” Instagram/janellebrown117
Garrison Brown joined the National Guard, as shown on “Sister Wives.” Instagram/janellebrown117
Garrison Brown’s friends and relatives paid tribute after his death. Instagram/robertthebrown
Garrison Brown’s friends and relatives paid tribute after his death. Instagram/robertthebrown

Garrison’s half-sister Mykelti Padron also paid tribute, writing: “My heart breaks for my brother who’s no longer with us but it rejoices knowing he’s with his fellow warriors in Valhalla drinking and fighting with Odin.”

“I hope he is loving his place amongst the stars,” she continues. “Garrison was always the funniest person in the room. He was one cool dude and I cry so much because my kinda will never be able to experience his fun presence. But he will live on in all my family’s memories. Have fun up with the stars little bro, you’re missed.”

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988Lifeline.org.