Kody Brown Shares Thoughts on Losing Son Garrison in Sister Wives

Kody Brown and his family remembered son Garrison Brown during a recent episode of Sister Wives and contemplated their future without him.

“Grief comes in waves. It just wasn’t meant to end this way. You understand what I mean?” Kody, 56, expressed in the episode aired on Sunday, May 4. This marked the first occasion the family discussed Garrison’s passing on camera. “It’s just heart-wrenching.”

Kody admitted, “I never had the opportunity to make things right, just not being able to say goodbye.”

Us Weekly reported in March 2024 that Garrison died by suicide at the age of 25. He was one of Kody and his second wife, Janelle Brown’s six children.

Kody, who separated from Janelle, 55, in December 2022, shared in the episode that he is unsure “how to cope with his death” amidst all the unanswered questions.

“It feels like I need to do something different because I thought I would have more time with him,” he reflected. “Everyone assumes they have more time.”

Kody broke down while speaking with his remaining wife, Robyn Brown, asking, “How am I going to navigate this? How do I move forward with every holiday and birthday?”

He added, “All the frustrations I had with COVID and everything else suddenly seem so trivial. I’m just heartbroken about what could have been.”

Kody had disagreements with Garrison and son Gabriel Brown in 2020 due to his strict COVID-19 protocols, which created tension between him and the boys. Following Garrison’s passing, Kody said he is dedicated to returning Garrison’s ashes to Wyoming, where most of the extended family is laid to rest.

“It’s a personal journey for me,” Kody shared. “That’s all I want from this… I simply want to take him home and lay him to rest.”

Scroll down to find out how the rest of Kody’s family learned about Garrison’s death and how they are grieving his loss:

Janelle Brown

During Sunday’s episode, Garrison’s mom recalled that his brother Gabriel was the first to discover him in his Arizona home. Janelle mentioned that after communicating with Garrison throughout the day, he stopped replying around 8:30 p.m., prompting her to ask his brothers to check on him.

She went to bed, only to wake up to a call from Gabriel announcing the tragic news. “I couldn’t understand what happened that night because there were times he would drink and lose contact, but he would be back by morning,” Janelle reflected. “I don’t know what happened this time.”

Janelle remarked that Garrison’s drinking had escalated during the pandemic, and although he had “support” and “resources” for help, he was still struggling.

“He battled anxiety and depression, turning to alcohol to cope,” she confided to her sister Carrie during the episode. “It became something he couldn’t control. We did everything we could for him, and I know that.”

Christine Brown

Kody’s third wife, who separated from him in November 2021, disclosed that Janelle’s son Hunter Brown was the one to inform her of Garrison’s passing. “He was sobbing when I asked what was wrong, and he simply said, ‘Garrison took his own life,’ and I collapsed on the office floor,” Christine, 53, recounted.

Christine later reflected on the “beautiful” service held in Garrison’s honor, where she shared memories of him as a child. She concluded her speech with a favorite movie quote about a dragon that dies and transforms into a constellation.

“The last line is, ‘When we wish to find him again, we look to the stars.’ I looked at [my daughter] Mykelti and said, ‘To the stars’ [while crying],” she reminisced.

Meri Brown

Meri, who was married to Kody from 1990 to 2023, was shooting a Sister Wives confessional when she received multiple calls from her ex-husband. He informed her of Garrison’s suicide, prompting her to rush to his side and later to Janelle.

“It was an incredibly surreal moment,” Meri recalled of the phone conversation with Kody, expressing disbelief that “one of our kids” could take their life.

After the call, Meri went to Kody and Robyn’s home, where she encountered Christine’s daughter Gwendlyn Brown. “She came out and held onto me,” Meri said tearfully. “I was at a loss for what to do.”

“Next, I called Janelle and said, ‘I’m stopping to grab food and will be over soon,’ as I wasn’t sure what else to do,” Meri reflected.

Robyn Brown

“I was working in my room when [Kody] entered, looking completely shocked. I asked, ‘What’s wrong?’” Robyn, 46, recounted the moment Kody shared that Garrison was gone. “He broke down, and I was just trying to comprehend and support him while taking in the shock myself. He fell apart.”

Maddie Brown

Kody and Janelle’s eldest daughter spoke on camera about her brother’s passing. She shared that she was communicating with Janelle throughout the day when her mom called again and delivered the heartbreaking news. “I was about to call you when she said, ‘I am driving to Garrison’s house. He committed suicide,’” Maddie told the audience.

She admitted, “Certain moments in life, I believe, alter your brain’s chemistry, and learning of a sibling’s passing has certainly done that.”

Maddie revealed that she had tried to persuade Garrison to relocate to North Carolina close to her family before his death. She disclosed that he was “getting closer” to the idea when he tragically passed away.

Gabriel Brown

Gabriel, who discovered Garrison’s body, shared joyful memories of his brother with the audience. “Gare was genuinely a remarkable person, even if he didn’t show it often; he felt deeply,” Gabriel observed. “Everyone in my family recognizes that.”

“He had a calming presence and made considerable efforts to ensure others felt at ease,” Gabriel recalled. “I think that speaks volumes about his character, and he excelled at that.”

Mykelti Brown

Mykelti, a child of Kody and Christine, described Garrison as “cool” and the family “jokester.” She beamed, “He was hilarious.”

Mykelti’s husband, Tony Padron, also remembered Garrison’s playful spirit. “He was so enjoyable; I found him to be delightful,” Tony reflected. “He was always smiling, so easygoing, and he had a wide circle of friends, making him a genuinely friendly and cool individual.”

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

Sister Wives airs on TLC Sundays at 10 p.m. ET.