Janelle Brown opens up about son Garrison's final hours before his tragic death by suicide
Shreeaa Rathi | TIMESOFINDIA.COM | May 05, 2025, 20:43 IST
( Image credit : TIL Creatives )
In a heartfelt announcement, Janelle Brown from Sister Wives shared the devastating news of her son Garrison's passing at the age of 25. She opened up about their final conversations, highlighting his struggles with mental health and alcohol addiction. Together with Kody, they decided to honor Garrison's memory through cremation, and his ashes now rest peacefully in Wyoming.
In a heartfelt and emotional conversation,Sister Wivesstar Janelle Brown recently shared the devastating details of her son Garrison's final hours before his tragic death by suicide. In the May 4 episode of the TLC reality show, Janelle opened up about the last moments she spent with her 25-year-old son, shedding light on the profound grief that followed his sudden passing.
The evening of March 4, 2024, began like any other. Janelle had recently moved to North Carolina to be closer to her eldest daughter, Madison Brush, and her family. At the time, she was traveling back to Flagstaff and had been texting with Garrison throughout the day, a routine that had become common between them. “We talked probably three times a day,” Janelle shared. “I knew he was struggling.”
Despite knowing about her son’s ongoing battles with anxiety and depression, Janelle always made a point to stay in touch. "I always just picked up the phone and always make it a point to just talk to him," she recalled. Though their final conversation wasn’t out of the ordinary, Janelle noted, "I think he needed the connection."
As the evening wore on, Garrison’s lack of response to her messages didn't immediately alarm her. However, she was aware that he had been drinking, something he struggled with in cycles. “He would go through periods where he was really good and then he would binge,” Janelle explained. Concerned, she reached out to her older sons, Logan and Hunter, asking them to check on Garrison.
"I said, 'Will you guys see if Garrison will respond to you?' And so they were on it,” Janelle recalled. Confident that her sons would look out for their brother, she tried to rest, unaware of the horrific news that awaited her.
The next morning, Janelle’s world was turned upside down when she received a phone call from her son Gabriel. “He's gone,” Gabriel told her. “He killed himself.” In that instant, the mother’s world shattered. The shock was overwhelming, and as she struggled to process the news, she immediately drove to Garrison’s home, calling her daughter Maddie for support.
Janelle wasn’t alone in her heartbreak. As the family rallied around her, they struggled to understand how Garrison, despite their best efforts to support him, could have reached such a devastating point. Garrison had been fighting both mental health challenges and the destructive cycle of alcohol use, and while his family knew he was in a dark place, they had hoped he would find a way to overcome it.
"We were doing everything we could for him, but he just couldn’t get on top of it," Janelle said, her voice heavy with grief.
As the Brown family processed the unbearable loss, they made the difficult decision to cremate Garrison. "Kody and I decided that we would cremate him,” Janelle explained. “I knew that’s what he wanted, so we did that. And that way, it gives us the opportunity to have the funeral at a better time of year.”
Garrison’s ashes were laid to rest in Wyoming, a place he loved. Janelle and Kody agreed that it was the most fitting location for their son’s final resting place. “We just totally agreed that would be the right thing,” Kody reflected in the episode.
The Brown family has long been a fixture in the public eye, and Garrison’s tragic death is a reminder of the often unseen struggles faced by those who battle mental health issues. In the aftermath of his passing, Janelle and Kody, along with their children, are grappling with the devastating weight of losing their beloved son and brother.
Garrison’s death is a poignant reminder of the importance of mental health awareness and the need for continued support for individuals who are struggling. If you or someone you know is in crisis, help is available. Call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional support.
Remembering the Brown Family’s Children: A Look at the Siblings
As the family continues to mourn, many will reflect on the Brown family’s diverse and wide-ranging story. From Logan, the oldest son who is pursuing a career in business, to young Ariella Mae Brown, the youngest child of Kody and Robyn, the Brown children have shared their individual journeys with the world.
Each family member has had their own experiences, some marked by love and growth, while others have been fraught with personal challenges. As the family comes together to mourn Garrison’s loss, they are also reminded of the strength and unity that bonds them as they continue to navigate life’s many trials.
The evening of March 4, 2024, began like any other. Janelle had recently moved to North Carolina to be closer to her eldest daughter, Madison Brush, and her family. At the time, she was traveling back to Flagstaff and had been texting with Garrison throughout the day, a routine that had become common between them. “We talked probably three times a day,” Janelle shared. “I knew he was struggling.”
Despite knowing about her son’s ongoing battles with anxiety and depression, Janelle always made a point to stay in touch. "I always just picked up the phone and always make it a point to just talk to him," she recalled. Though their final conversation wasn’t out of the ordinary, Janelle noted, "I think he needed the connection."
As the evening wore on, Garrison’s lack of response to her messages didn't immediately alarm her. However, she was aware that he had been drinking, something he struggled with in cycles. “He would go through periods where he was really good and then he would binge,” Janelle explained. Concerned, she reached out to her older sons, Logan and Hunter, asking them to check on Garrison.
"I said, 'Will you guys see if Garrison will respond to you?' And so they were on it,” Janelle recalled. Confident that her sons would look out for their brother, she tried to rest, unaware of the horrific news that awaited her.
The next morning, Janelle’s world was turned upside down when she received a phone call from her son Gabriel. “He's gone,” Gabriel told her. “He killed himself.” In that instant, the mother’s world shattered. The shock was overwhelming, and as she struggled to process the news, she immediately drove to Garrison’s home, calling her daughter Maddie for support.
Janelle wasn’t alone in her heartbreak. As the family rallied around her, they struggled to understand how Garrison, despite their best efforts to support him, could have reached such a devastating point. Garrison had been fighting both mental health challenges and the destructive cycle of alcohol use, and while his family knew he was in a dark place, they had hoped he would find a way to overcome it.
"We were doing everything we could for him, but he just couldn’t get on top of it," Janelle said, her voice heavy with grief.
As the Brown family processed the unbearable loss, they made the difficult decision to cremate Garrison. "Kody and I decided that we would cremate him,” Janelle explained. “I knew that’s what he wanted, so we did that. And that way, it gives us the opportunity to have the funeral at a better time of year.”
Garrison’s ashes were laid to rest in Wyoming, a place he loved. Janelle and Kody agreed that it was the most fitting location for their son’s final resting place. “We just totally agreed that would be the right thing,” Kody reflected in the episode.
The Brown family has long been a fixture in the public eye, and Garrison’s tragic death is a reminder of the often unseen struggles faced by those who battle mental health issues. In the aftermath of his passing, Janelle and Kody, along with their children, are grappling with the devastating weight of losing their beloved son and brother.
Garrison’s death is a poignant reminder of the importance of mental health awareness and the need for continued support for individuals who are struggling. If you or someone you know is in crisis, help is available. Call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional support.
Remembering the Brown Family’s Children: A Look at the Siblings
As the family continues to mourn, many will reflect on the Brown family’s diverse and wide-ranging story. From Logan, the oldest son who is pursuing a career in business, to young Ariella Mae Brown, the youngest child of Kody and Robyn, the Brown children have shared their individual journeys with the world.
Each family member has had their own experiences, some marked by love and growth, while others have been fraught with personal challenges. As the family comes together to mourn Garrison’s loss, they are also reminded of the strength and unity that bonds them as they continue to navigate life’s many trials.