In a shocking turn of events, the Sister Wives family is facing turmoil as Janelle Brown reflects on her first Mother’s Day without her son Garrison Brown. The emotional Instagram post shared by Janelle reveals the depth of her grief after Garrison tragically took his own life in their Flagstaff, Arizona home on March 5. Janelle’s heartfelt message highlights the pain she felt over the weekend, marking Mother’s Day with a strawberry rhubarb pie—a favorite of Garrison’s.
Janelle explained that Mother’s Day had never been a significant holiday for her, as her children always made her feel special every day, especially since they became independent adults. However, this year was different because Garrison, whom she shared with her ex-husband Kody Brown, was not there to celebrate with her. She described feeling the grief intensely all weekend, and making the pie brought a mix of emotions, knowing how much Garrison loved it.
The Coconino County Medical Examiner confirmed that Garrison’s death was a suicide, with ethanol intoxication contributing to his passing. The Flagstaff Police Department also confirmed that Garrison’s brother, Gabriel, discovered him deceased. Following the heartbreaking news, Janelle shared a statement on Instagram, expressing the immense loss she and Kody felt. She described Garrison as a bright spot in everyone’s lives and acknowledged the deep void his absence would leave.
Fans of Sister Wives first met Garrison in 2010 on the TLC show, alongside his siblings Madison, Logan, Gabriel, Hunter, and Savannah. The show documented the day-to-day life of the polygamous family, including Janelle, Kody, and Kody’s other wives, Meri, Christine, and Robyn Brown. In December 2022, Janelle announced her separation from Kody after nearly 30 years of marriage, making her the second wife to leave after Christine. Meri also later revealed her split from Kody, leaving Robyn as his only remaining wife.
Amidst this personal tragedy, Janelle is trying to focus on the positive milestones in her family’s life. On May 22, she celebrated her eldest son Logan’s 30th birthday with a touching Instagram tribute. She shared a video montage of Logan’s life and expressed her pride in the man he has become. This post came shortly after her emotional Mother’s Day reflection, where she shared her grief over losing Garrison.
Janelle’s recent posts have resonated deeply with fans, drawing attention to the ongoing struggles and resilience of the Brown family. In addition to her grief over Garrison, Janelle is also a proud grandmother. She recently shared a heartwarming video of her granddaughter Evie Kody Brush, who was born with a congenital abnormality, putting on her prosthetic leg by herself for the first time. The video, originally posted by Evie’s mother Maddie Brown Brush, was praised widely on social media.
Despite the heavy emotional toll of recent events, Janelle continues to celebrate the achievements and milestones of her family members. Her resilience and openness about her grief have drawn widespread support and admiration from fans, who continue to follow the ups and downs of the Sister Wives family.
As the Browns navigate this difficult period, the revelations of personal loss, separation, and resilience provide a profound insight into their lives beyond the television screen. Janelle’s candid reflections remind us of the importance of family, the pain of loss, and the strength required to move forward.
For those affected by similar issues, it’s important to seek help. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, or text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741741.