Trigger Warning: This post contains mentions of suicide.
Robert “Garrison” Brown has reportedly been laid to rest.
According to an Instagram post made by Garrison’s cousin Emma (who did not appear on the Brown Family’s TV show Sister Wives), a funeral was held for Garrison on March 9.
As The Ashley previously reported, Garrison— who is the son of Kody and Janelle Brown—took his life on March 5 at his home in Flagstaff, Arizona. Garrison’s death was discovered by his brother, Gabe, who was sent by Janelle to check on Garrison after the 25-year-old sent a series of alarming text messages to her and members of the ‘Sister Wives’ crew the night before.
Janelle and Kody confirmed on March 5 that Garrison had passed away and, since that time, his many siblings, family members and friends have been posting tributes to him on social media. In Emma’s tribute, she wrote about what a good friend and person Garrison was.
“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,” she captioned a series of photos of Garrison. “We love you. 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. 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.
View this post on Instagram
“I’ll always cherish the times I got to spend with you…You always made sure that I had ate, and made sure I knew I could always talk to you,” Emma’s post continued. “You were a son, a brother, a soldier, and a friend. If there is a God I hope he’s giving you peace. I love you Robert.”
The Nevada National Guard— which Garrison joined in 2015— also paid tribute to Garrison in a recent Facebook post, writing that Garrison’s appearances on ‘Sister Wives’ were kept separate from his time with the Guard.
“We are saddened to inform the organization of the death of a fellow Nevada Army National Guard Solider,” the post read. “Staff Sgt. Robert Garrison Brown, 1st Squadron, 221st Cavalry, died Monday in Arizona.”
Master Sgt. Christopher LaDuca, who served as Garrison’s readiness non-commissioned officer when he enlisted in 2015, praised Garrison for his accomplishments.
“He grew up on camera, so we knew a little bit about who he was from the show, even before he joined,” said Master Sgt. LaDuca. “We always kept that part [the TV show] separate. His family used to come to events, and we got a chance to know many of them through the years.”
Master Sgt. LaDuca also stated that Garrison— who was attending school at the time of his death— expressed interest in going into Special Forces.
“He’s done everything you can do here for a guy who is combat arms, from gunner on a Bradley (armored vehicle) to dismount team leader,” he continued. “He was also a great listener… In the field, he was always tuned in and locked in for every piece of information. He never talked down to people or played the macho game.
“He spent most of his time just doing what was right.”
“The Nevada National Guard has been in touch with his family and will continue to support the family through this tragedy,” the post continued.
View this post on Instagram
It is unknown if Garrison’s death— or his funeral— will be covered on ‘Sister Wives.’ The Browns have yet to comment on whether or not they plan to continue on with the show following Garrison’s death.
It is also unclear if a public funeral will be held for Garrison at a later date.
UPDATE! On Monday, Garrison’s sister Mykelti took to her Patreon to discuss Garrison’s passing and seemingly confirmed that all of the Brown Family attended the funeral in Flagstaff.
“The bright side of his passing is that he’s obviously no longer in pain, or hurting or sad because he’s in a better place,” she said.
“The other bright side is that I got to see all of my family, together, for the first time in years,” she said, adding that she thinks Garrison would have been happy to see the Browns together again.
“The thing I know about Garrison is that he wouldn’t have wanted all of us to stop living life,” Mykelti said.
She seemingly confirmed that the family will be paying tribute to Garrison again in the future.
“We do have some more things, in honor of him, coming up this next month, and then some more in the next couple of months,” Mykelti said. “There’s a Brown Family Reunion in Wyoming that most of my family is going to, to honor him.
(Photos: TLC; Instagram)
Honestly why continue filming? A young man from a highly dysfunctional family is gone. The pain his family is under must be horrible.One comment said they need to income. Get real jobs! Put the children, whether they are adults or minors first and foremost. They have been put before the cameras for years through no choice of their own. Up rooted from a settled life in Vegas to Flagstaff due to a ridiculous decision by Robyn and Kody. Once and for all, put an end to the Brown family filming. Give the rest of the kids some peace to live their lives without a camera following the family drama.
I don’t really get the outrage over this event being covered on the show. Their lives are filmed and this is something that happened and that they’re all dealing with. Seems impossible to leave it out to me. And to say they should stop filming is unrealistic, as they’re obviously dependent on the income. I also don’t see it as a disservice to Garrison since he’ll be honored in the coverage, not disparaged. There are plenty of other things to criticize about the family, no need to kick them when they’re going thru something so terrible and when nothing wrong is being done.
You just don’t get it. a completely dysfunctional family, who made a living filming their polygamist lifestyle that in the beginning they had to keep a secret. The middle of the night “escape” to Nevada, all staged. They finally seem settled in Vegas with 4 houses and the kids have friends, loving school and once again they pick up and move. I remember some of the kids in tears over the move to Arizona. As to being dependent for filming for the income? Get real jobs! Robyn has 3 adult kids at home who do not work. She lives in a house they never needed to begin with. They purchased property with the insane dream of a Brown family commune. Yes insane. And 18 kids who once they became adults made it clear they were done, except for Robyn’s 3 adult kids. Why feed off the tragedy of Garrison’s death? Haven’t those kids been through enough?
I truly hope that Kody and Robyn learn from this. Some things in life don’t get a do-over. Suicide is one hell of a lesson to learn and one that should not be ignored.
Janelle, So very sorry for your loss. Hugs, Laura
So sad. He had such a big family and he was still alone. And his brother finding him… That’ll stay with him forever. I wish peace for everyone involved.
Exactly, Mick.
May Garrison rest in peace.
I really hope they don’t exploit his death and funeral on the show . It’s clear he struggled because of the show according to his last text . And the brown children as Minors had no choice but to be a paycheck for their parents . Harrison had no peace in life , the very least they could do is love him enough to give him peace in death. Damn vampires.
I thought they already announced that the death would be part of the storyline for next season. God I hope that’s not true rest in peace.
No they didn’t. That rumor was spread by fans who believed a ridiculous clickbait article.
Honestly I don’t see how they couldn’t include it if they continue with the show. It is such a massive thing to happen in their lives there is no way they would be able to not address it.