Janelle Brown Reveals Son Garrison’s Heartbreaking Final Hours

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Content warning: This story discusses suicide.

The members of the Brown family can still remember the moment their hearts were divided. 

On March 3, 2024, a seemingly regular day for Janelle Brown, stood in stark contrast to the tragic events that would unfold the following day when her ex-husband Kody Brown’s son, Garrison Brown, took his life at the age of 25.

After a recent move to North Carolina to be near my eldest daughter Madison Brush, her husband Caleb Brush, and their children, the Sister Wives star looked back on his journey to Flagstaff, as he shared in the May 4 episode of the TLC reality show.

During that period, Janelle mentioned that she and Garrison from Arizona were constantly texting throughout the day. This wasn’t out of the ordinary as they usually spoke about three times daily.

Indeed, the mother of six – who shares children such as Logan Brown, Hunter Brown, Gabriel Brown, and Savanah Brown with Kody – made an effort to address every message sent by Garrison.

Janelle expressed that she had realized her middle child was facing difficulties due to his anxiety and depression. She shared that whenever she noticed this, she would call him right away and make sure to have conversations with him.

She explained that their discussion wasn’t exceptional; rather, it seemed like he simply desired a connection.

I wasn’t overly concerned when his texts stopped pouring in, given our history. After all, I knew he had a pattern – periods of sobriety followed by bouts of heavy drinking. So, as the clock struck 8:30 PM, I found myself on the phone with Logan and Hunter, expressing my worry about his well-being, knowing all too well his alcohol-related ups and downs.

Janelle explained that since everyone was working together, she asked them to check if Garrison would respond. So, they took action right away.

After being assured that their child was well taken care of (“Mom, don’t worry, we’ve got this. We’ll keep an eye on him to ensure he’s fine”), the 55-year-old dozed off.

She could have never imagined the wake-up call she received. 

In response to your query, “Janelle mentioned that Gabriel had learned about Garrison. She said, ‘He told me, “Mom, he’s gone.” I was puzzled and asked, “What do you mean?” To which he replied, “He’s dead. He took his own life.”‘

The moments that followed were largely a blur. 

Janelle confessed that she can’t recall what happened for a short while after being surprised, but she eventually found herself behind the wheel and driving.

She headed towards Garrison’s house, inviting daughter Maddie to join her on this journey. At various points, more and more members of their large family started gathering around her.

On the episode dedicated to Garrison’s farewell on May 4th, Meri mentioned that she had phoned Janelle. She said, “I was pulling over for some grub and would drop by shortly. I wasn’t sure what else I could do.

As a lifestyle advisor, I can empathize that they have given their all, using every ounce of their strength and resilience, to steer clear of such an unwanted result within their family unit.

Speaking to my cherished little sister Carrie about our dear friend Garrison, I shared insights into his inner turmoil. He grappled with both anxiety and depression, and in an attempt to find solace, he turned to alcohol as a means to ease those tormenting feelings. However, it eventually morphed into a beast he couldn’t tame.

Though she and the rest of the brood did their best to wrap their arms around him. 

Janelle stated, “We understood he was going through a tough time. We were giving him all the help we could, yet somehow, he couldn’t manage to pull himself out of it.

In the aftermath of our unbearable shock subsiding, I, alongside my partner, found ourselves engrossed in the solemn task of laying our precious son to rest.

In her explanation, Janelle shared that Kody and she had agreed on his cremation. Since this was what he desired, they carried out the plan. By doing so, it allows us to hold the funeral during a more favorable season of the year.

His last place of rest is in a family burial plot situated in Wyoming, as it was a place he cherished, according to Janelle, making it fitting for his final repose.

In this, she and her former husband were in lockstep. 

In that moment with Janelle, I found myself expressing, ‘I really feel like it’s time for me to bring my son home,'” he mused in the episode. “So we decided to return him to Wyoming and bury him beside Grandma Cheryl. We both felt this was the right decision.

While the family of Garrison grapples with their profound sorrow, continue reading to get acquainted with the large and lively Brown clan.

Logan, born on May 21, 1994, is the firstborn son of Kody and Janelle Brown, making him the eldest among the 18 children that are part of Kody’s family.

In 2020, he completed his Master’s in Business Administration at the University of Nevada and tied the knot with Michelle Petty two years afterwards.

Aspyn is the oldest child of Kody and Christine Brown. She was born on March 14, 1995.

As a graduate of the University of Nevada, Aspyn married Mitch Thompson in 2018. In April 2025, she shared the news of her pregnancy.

Born on July 29, 1995, Leon is the only child of Kody and Meri Brown.

In 2020, Leon came out as transgender, sharing that they were previously “socialized as a girl.”

In simpler terms, Leon (also known as Leo) shared on Instagram that they were young when they grew up in a highly gendered and limiting environment. However, now they feel ready to reveal their authentic self to the world, which encompasses their genderqueer, transgender identity, and unwavering confidence.

Leon married Audrey Kiss in 2020 at a Colorado courthouse wedding.

The second of Kody and Christine’s children, Mykelti was born on June 9, 1996.

In the year 2016, she got married to Antonio “Tony” Padron in a wedding that was recorded on the show “Sister Wives”. This couple is blessed with a daughter named Avalon and twin boys, Archer and Ace.

Janelle gave birth to Madison—her second child with Kody—on Nov. 3, 1995.

Following my graduation from Utah State University, I embarked on a new journey when I tied the knot with Caleb Brush in 2016. Together, we’ve been blessed with three lovely children: Axel, Evangalynn, and Josephine.

Janelle and Kody welcomed Hunter—their third child together—on Feb. 9, 1997.

In the year 2020, Hunter completed their studies at the United States Air Force Academy. Later, they enrolled in a nursing program at Johns Hopkins University.

Christine gave birth to her and Kody’s third child together on Aug. 7, 1998.

Garrison, born on October 31, 1998, was the third-youngest child of Kody and Janelle. Tragically, he took his life on March 5, 2024, at the age of 25.

Dayton is the eldest child born from Kody Brown’s fourth marriage to Robyn Brown, stemming from her previous union with Preston Jessop. He officially joined the family in 2015, approximately five years following their spiritual union.

2014 saw Kody finalize his divorce from his initial spouse, Meri, to legally wed Robyn and formally adopt Dayton as his son.

Nicknamed Gabe, the fifth child of Kody and Janelle was born on Oct. 11, 2001. 

Kody and Christine welcomed their fourth child on Oct. 15, 2001.

Gwendlyn tied the knot with Beatriz Queiroz in 2023.

Aurora, who’s the second born in Robyn’s family, was officially adopted by Kody following their marriage in 2014. This adoption took place in 2015.

Kody and Christine welcomed their fifth child together on June 13, 2003.

Her struggles with scoliosis have been documented on Sister Wives.

Breanna, being Robyn’s third child, was born during her marriage with Preston. Following Robyn’s remarriage to Kody, Breanna and her elder siblings were officially brought into the Brown family through legal adoption.

On December 7, 2004, Kody and Janelle became parents to their youngest child as a couple. In the year 2023, these former partners came together once more, this time for Savanah’s high school graduation ceremony.

Born on April 13, 2010, Truely is the youngest child of Kody and Christine.

Kody and Robyn welcomed their second youngest son on Oct. 27, 2011.

Ariella was born on January 10th, 2016, making her the youngest daughter of Kody and Robyn, and the youngest among the 18 children in the entire Brown clan.

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2025-05-05 06:23