Loss hits differently when you feel like you’ve watched a kid grow up through a glass screen. For fans of TLC’s Sister Wives, Robert Garrison Brown wasn’t just a reality TV personality. He was the quirky, adventurous son of Janelle and Kody Brown who loved his cats and served his country. When the news broke in March 2024 that the 25-year-old had passed away, the immediate, painful question on everyone's mind was: why did Garrison Brown commit suicide? It’s a heavy topic. It’s messy. Honestly, it's a tragedy that forced a very public conversation about mental health, family estrangement, and the hidden pressures of being a "reality star" since childhood.
He was found in his Flagstaff home. His brother, Gabe, was the one who discovered him. That detail alone is enough to break your heart. But as the police reports and the autopsy findings started trickling out, a clearer—though no less devastating—picture began to emerge. It wasn't just one thing. It was a perfect storm of personal struggles, complicated family dynamics, and a battle with alcohol that he was fighting behind the scenes.
The Official Findings and the Role of Alcohol
The Coconino County Medical Examiner eventually released the official report. It confirmed what the initial police reports suggested: Garrison died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. His death was officially ruled a suicide. But the toxicology report added a layer that explains a lot of the "why" regarding his state of mind that night.
Garrison’s blood alcohol content (BAC) was .307%. To put that into perspective, the legal driving limit is .08%. He was nearly four times the legal limit. Doctors and mental health experts often point out that alcohol is a massive depressant. It strips away inhibitions. It turns a temporary dark thought into a permanent action before the brain has a chance to catch up and say, "Wait, don't do this."
When people ask why did Garrison Brown commit suicide, they’re often looking for a specific note or a single event. But the high level of intoxication suggests he was in an incredibly vulnerable, altered state.
His mother, Janelle, told police that Garrison had been struggling with alcohol for a while. It’s a common story, unfortunately. Someone uses a substance to numb a deeper pain, but eventually, the substance itself becomes the primary driver of the crisis. He had apparently been struggling with depression, and the alcohol likely amplified those feelings until they felt insurmountable.
Family Tension and the "Sister Wives" Fallout
You can't talk about Garrison without talking about the Brown family. If you've watched the show lately, you know it’s been a train wreck. The family didn't just drift apart; it exploded. The strict COVID-19 protocols enforced by his father, Kody, created a massive rift. Garrison and his brother Gabe were essentially "exiled" from their father’s home because they wouldn't follow his rules regarding work and social lives during the pandemic.
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That kind of rejection is brutal.
Imagine being in your early 20s and having a public fallout with your dad played out for millions of viewers. Garrison was living on his own, having bought a house in Flagstaff in 2021, and by all accounts, he was doing well on the surface. He was a Sergeant in the National Guard. He had a job. He was rescuing cats. But the emotional toll of the family’s disintegration was clearly weighing on him.
Text messages sent just before his death revealed he was hurting. He sent a group text to people who worked for the family, saying, "I want to hate you for sharing the good times. But I can't. I miss these days." It sounds like a man grieving a life that no longer existed. He was nostalgic for a version of his family that had been replaced by bitterness and lawsuits.
The Weight of Reality TV Fame
Being a "child of reality TV" is a specific kind of trauma. Garrison didn't choose to be famous; he was born into it. Every awkward teenage phase, every family argument, and every move was documented. There’s a specific pressure that comes with having your identity tied to a brand like Sister Wives.
When the cameras stop rolling, or when the "character" you play (the son of a polygamist) clashes with the person you are (a young man in the National Guard trying to find his own way), things get complicated.
Mental Health and the National Guard Connection
Garrison was a member of the Arizona National Guard. This is important because there is a documented, ongoing crisis regarding veteran and service member suicide rates. While Garrison hadn't seen combat, the culture of "toughing it out" in military circles can sometimes make it harder for young men to reach out for help.
He had so much going for him.
He was proud of his service.
He was a beloved brother.
He was a "cat dad" to three rescues.
Yet, depression doesn't care about your resume. It doesn't care that you just bought a house or that people love you. It tells you that you’re a burden and that the world would be quieter without you. When you combine that lie with heavy drinking, the risk of a fatal outcome skyrockets.
What We Can Learn from This Tragedy
Looking at why did Garrison Brown commit suicide shouldn't just be about morbid curiosity. It has to be about understanding the warning signs. Garrison was sending "goodbye" style texts, even if they were veiled in nostalgia. He was struggling with substance abuse. He was dealing with significant family estrangement. These are all major red flags.
The Brown family has been incredibly open about their grief. Janelle and Christine, especially, have used their platforms to honor him while being honest about the pain. They aren't hiding the reality of what happened.
If there is any "actionable" takeaway from this, it’s that checking in on the "strong" friend isn't enough. We have to be willing to have the uncomfortable conversations about alcohol and the deep-seated hurts that people try to mask with a smile or a successful career.
Immediate Steps for Support
If you or someone you know is struggling, there are resources that actually make a difference. You don't have to navigate the darkness alone.
- Dial 988: This is the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the U.S. and Canada. It’s free, confidential, and available 24/7. You can call or text.
- The Trevor Project: If you are a young person (under 25) and need someone to talk to, text START to 678-678.
- Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988 and press 1. This is specifically for active duty, National Guard, and veterans who understand the specific pressures of military life.
- Remove the Means: If someone is in crisis, the most important step is removing access to lethal means, like firearms or large quantities of medication. Time is the greatest tool in preventing a tragedy.
Garrison’s story is a reminder that everyone is fighting a battle you can't see on an Instagram grid or a TLC episode. Be kind. Reach out. And if you're the one hurting—please, stay. There's more to your story than this moment.