Garrison Brown, the son of Janelle and Kody, was found deceased at his home on March 5th, at the young age of 25.
The cause of his death was a self-inflicted gunshot wound. But how did everything with Garrison and the Brown family end in such a horrific tragedy?
On the most recent season of Sister Wives, Garrison played a big role on the show alongside his brother, Gabe. The two were frequently featured discussing their fractured relationship with their father, Kody, and how it led to the breakdown of their parents’ marriage.
Garrison and his Brother Gabe Were at Odds with Dad Kody Brown
While all of the adult children were allegedly at odds with Kody due to his Covid-19 protocols, Gabe and Garrison were arguably the most vocal about it on Sister Wives.
Gabe spoke out about the argument on the show, saying:
“Me and Garrison are at odds with my dad because when we expressed our discontent at how things were going with COVID, I was just met with a wall. And there was no line of dialogue. I think that that is what really drove the wedge between us.”
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Both of the boys called Robyn to complain about her control over Kody, which ultimately started a public feud and cut off communication between Kody, Gabe and Garrison.
Fans of the show watched for years as Janelle described just how difficult her children’s estrangement from their father was.
Janelle Worried About Her Sons’ Mental Health
On an episode from October 2023, Janelle specifically spoke about how she worried for their mental health, saying:
“I have worried about my boys’ mental health. Gabriel feels everything very, very deeply. But he’s also the kid who doesn’t say anything. [Garrison] just seems angry or sadder, like, he’s not as happy-go-lucky as he used to be.”
She also spoke out about how Kody’s affinity for Robyn played a big part in their feud, saying:
“They have, for a long time, perceived that Kody’s focus, you know … his time, everything … was spent, the majority at Robyn’s house, even when we lived in Vegas. They feel like there’s been a real preference for Robyn. And so, this thing with COVID now – where he’s at her house because she’s willing to follow his rules – they are a little bit suspicious.”
In one of the more recent episodes, Garrison expressed his frustration with the entire situation directly.
He met with Janelle, Christine, Gabe, Janelle’s daughter, Savanah, and Christine’s daughter, Gwendlyn, to discuss the estrangement at Garrison’s house. He said: “You know what Robyn? Have him. We’re all grown adults who don’t need a father figure anymore.”
His siblings who were present seemed to agree with him.Aside from his tumultuous fight with Kody, he seemed to have a happy, full life.
Garrison Adopted a Cat Five Days Before His Passing
He adopted three cats that he posted about frequently on his Instagram, including one that he adopted just five days before his passing.
In his adoption announcement, he wrote:
“Newest edition to my home, Ms Buttons. She’s 9 years old and was on the line for euthanasia but my savior complex couldn’t suffice. #crazycatlady”
He also was a member of the Nevada Army National Guard, enlisting when he was just seventeen.
In 2019, he started an online clothing store called “Bob’s Florals,” where he sold Hawaiian shirts.
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It’s unclear if he was still dating his girlfriend at the time of his passing, but his relationship with his girlfriend was a source of conflict for Kody and Garrison during the pandemic.
Kody claimed that Gabe and Garrison weren’t following the pandemic protocols he had in place because they wanted to see their girlfriends.
Meanwhile, Gabe and Garrison claimed that they weren’t following the pandemic protocols because they had to go to work.
Garrison specifically was saving money to buy a house in Flagstaff, which he eventually did.
It’s Been a Tumultuous Few Years for the Brown Family
It’s been a tumultuous few years for the Brown family, and now after the tragic passing of Garrison, it’s taken an unexpected turn.
In 2021, Christine decided to leave her marriage with Kody, and moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, which began the unraveling of the Brown family as we knew it.
In just a couple years’ time, two of his three remaining wives, Janelle and Meri, decided to leave their marriages as well.
Janelle specifically said that a big reason for her decision to leave Kody was his treatment of their children together.
Since then, all three of the ex-wives and their respective children seem to be estranged from Kody.
However, it seemed like those who were estranged from Kody and Robyn seemed to remain close to each other.
Christine got remarried to David Wooley in October of 2023, and almost all of the kids attended, including Garrison.
Despite everything going on in the Brown family, no one could’ve expected that things would take such a devastating turn.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.
