Days before Robert Garrison Brown, son of Kody and Janelle Brown, passed away, he saved the life of another creature. This was a theme that he had carried through much of the last two years, often sharing these rescue stories on social media. His last Instagram post was no exception.
Robert Garrison Brown as seen in an Instagram post dated March 1, 2024 | Source: Instagram.com/robertthebrown/
The tragic loss of Robert Garrison Brown, a vibrant and cherished member of the Brown family, known from the beloved television series “Sister Wives,” has left a deep void in the hearts of his family, friends, and fans across the nation. Just days before his untimely passing, Brown made what would become his final post on Instagram. Robert was the son of Kody Brown and Janelle Brown.
Robert Garrison Brown’s pet cats as seen in an Instagram post dated March 1, 2024 | Source: Instagram.com/robertthebrown/
In a sweet moment captured online, he introduced his followers to a new family member, a nine-year-old cat named Ms. Buttons, whom he had rescued from euthanasia. The post featured a tender photograph of Brown holding Ms. Buttons, alongside another image showcasing three cats, including Ms. Buttons, playfully gathered on the floor. His caption humorously admitted to his “savior complex,” a reminder of his compassionate nature. Robert had adopted his two other cats in January and December 2022, respectively.
Robert Garrison Brown and his cat, Catthew, as seen in an Instagram posted dated January 17, 2022 | Source: Instagram.com/robertthebrown/
Robert Garrison Brown and his cat, Patches O’Houlihan, as seen in an Instagram posted dated December 11, 2022 | Source: Instagram.com/robertthebrown/
Sadly, this act of kindness would be among Brown’s final moments shared with the world. On March 5, at the young age of 25, Brown died by suicide, a devastating event confirmed by the Flagstaff Police Department. Officers responded to his home in Flagstaff, AZ, on a report of a death and discovered him deceased from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His brother Gabriel found him.
The news of Brown’s death was met with an outpouring of grief and support from the online community. His Instagram became a memorial space where fans shared condolences and expressed their sorrow. Comments like “RIP Garrison, you had such a beautiful soul,” “25 yrs is too young! You had so much left to live for,” and “Thank you for saving this kitty before you left. Heaven just gained an Angel,” reflect the deep impact of his loss.
One fan even left a comment saying that they had noticed his pain through the family’s famous TV show. The fan said they knew that he needed extra support and that they wished they could have helped him. The commenter wished that all the mothers who had watched the show could have helped the young man. Other commenters asked for the name of the cat rescue that he worked with so they could support them.
Janelle and Robert Brown as seen in an Instagram post dated May 7, 2017 | Source: Instagram.com/robertthebrown/
Janelle Brown, Robert’s mother, publicly addressed her son’s passing with a hearttrending message on social media, accompanied by a photo of him. 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. 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.”
