It was the kind of news that stops you mid-scroll. On March 5, 2024, the Sister Wives community—and honestly, anyone who’s ever followed the sprawling, complicated lives of the Brown family—was hit with the heavy news that Robert Garrison Brown had passed away. He was only 25. For a lot of us who watched him grow up from a quiet kid into a Nevada National Guard member and a cat-loving photographer, it didn't just feel like a headline. It felt personal.
But in the days and months following, the question of how did Garrison Brown die became a search for answers amidst a lot of speculation and heartbreak. People wanted to know if there were signs. They wanted to know what the official reports said.
Dealing with a loss like this is messy. It’s never just one thing. When the Coconino County Medical Examiner finally released the autopsy results a few months later, the technical language confirmed what many had feared, but it also added layers to the tragedy that weren't immediately clear on that Tuesday in Flagstaff.
The Official Findings and What They Mean
Let's look at the facts. The Coconino County Medical Examiner’s office confirmed that Garrison died from a gunshot wound to the head. His death was officially ruled a suicide.
But the report didn't stop there. It noted a significant contributing factor: ethanol intoxication, more commonly known as alcohol poisoning. According to the autopsy, Garrison’s blood alcohol level was found to be .307% in his iliac blood and a staggering .370% in his vitreous analysis.
To put that in perspective, the legal limit for driving in the United States is .08%. Experts, including those from the University of Rochester, point out that once a person hits a BAL of .30%, they typically enter a "stupor." They lose comprehension of where they are. By .35%, you’re essentially at the level of surgical anesthesia. You might literally stop breathing.
Janelle Brown later opened up about this, mentioning that while the family saw Garrison as "upbeat" and "excited about his career path," he was fighting a "demon" he couldn't get on top of. She described a cycle where he’d be doing great and then experience a binge. It’s a gut-wrenching reminder that what we see on a TV screen—or even what a mother sees during a daily check-in—isn't always the full battle.
The Timeline Leading to March 5
The days leading up to his death were filled with the kind of mundane family interactions that haunt you later. Janelle shared that she had been texting Garrison all day. When the texts stopped, the worry set in.
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She eventually reached out to her other sons, Logan and Hunter, asking them to check on him. We often tag-team these things in families, right? You think, "Maybe he's just not answering me."
The Discovery
It was Gabriel Brown, Garrison’s 22-year-old brother, who ultimately went to the home in Flagstaff. He was the one who found Garrison. The Flagstaff Police Department arrived shortly after being dispatched to the residence. They confirmed there was no indication of foul play.
The Troubling Final Messages
There was also a police report mentioning a "troubling text" sent to a group of people who worked with the family. Janelle saw these messages and immediately knew something was off. It’s that maternal instinct that screams when the tone of a conversation shifts even a fraction of a degree.
Why This Hit the Sister Wives Community So Hard
If you've watched the show, you know the family was already in a state of fracture. Garrison and Gabriel had been very public about their estrangement from their father, Kody Brown. During Season 18, we saw the raw tension over COVID-19 rules and Kody’s relationship with Robyn.
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Garrison even said at one point, "We're all grown adults that don't need a father figure anymore."
That’s a heavy thing for a young man to carry. While Janelle has been careful to say that nobody should blame one single factor—like the family's public drama or Kody—the context of that estrangement made the grief feel even more complex for the fans watching. It wasn't just a death; it felt like the permanent closing of a door to a reconciliation we all hoped would happen.
Remembering Robert Garrison Brown
Beyond the "how" is the "who." Garrison wasn't just a reality star. He was a guy who loved his cats—Button, Cat-well, and Ms. Buttons. He had a passion for photography and a deep love for the outdoors.
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The Wyoming Burial
In May 2025, an episode of Sister Wives showed Janelle and Kody coming together to decide where to lay him to rest. They chose Wyoming. Why? Because the family has deep roots there. Kody’s father and Janelle’s mother are buried there. Janelle explained that Garrison was shaped by his summers working on the ranch in Wyoming. It’s a place of peace, away from the cameras and the Flagstaff noise.
Actionable Insights for Moving Forward
Losses like this usually leave people feeling helpless, but there are ways to channel that grief into something that matters. If you're looking for a way to honor Garrison's memory or handle your own grief around this news, here are some real steps:
- Support Animal Shelters: Garrison was a huge advocate for animal rescue. Janelle has encouraged fans to donate to local shelters or the High Country Humane in Flagstaff in his name.
- Normalize the "Check-In": If someone you love has a history of substance abuse or depression, don't wait for a "sign" to reach out. Sometimes the most upbeat people are the ones struggling the most.
- Understand the "Grief Trap": Janelle talked about the "what ifs." If you are grieving, recognize that blaming yourself for not seeing a "demon" someone else was hiding is a mental game that has no winner.
- Utilize the 988 Lifeline: If you or someone you know is in crisis, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7. You can call or text 988 anytime.
The story of how did Garrison Brown die is ultimately a story about a family trying to navigate the unthinkable. It’s about the reality of mental health struggles that don't always look like "sadness." Garrison was a bright spot, and while his loss left a "garrison-sized hole" in his family, they are clearly focused on making sure his legacy is about the love he gave, not just the way he left.